On-Campus Occupational Therapy Clinic: Exploring a Supervision Model for Level I Fieldwork Within Curriculum

Abstract

This study explored how a revised on-campus occupational therapy clinic model impacted occupational therapy graduate student professional development and clinical practice educator confidence in areas related to the on-campus clinic environment, professionalism, student learning, and collaboration. Specifically, clinical practice educator and student confidence were compared through quantitative survey data across multiple cohorts and clinical educators. This data was used to triangulate qualitative findings from focus groups and open-ended survey questions. Analysis across five years of qualitative data revealed themes related to professionalism including time management, planning, feedback, observation, collaboration, and communication. Quantitative data analysis found significant differences between clinical practice educator and student confidence in clinic environment, professionalism, and learning in an on-campus clinic. No significance was found in collaboration. Students were more confident in their familiarity with the on-campus clinic routine than clinical practice educators. Familiarity with the clinic routine was also related to clinical practice educators’ confidence in supporting student learning for growth and change and resolving challenges that impede student learning. Feedback and communication were important in the students' experiences with benefits and suggestions to improve feedback provided by students. Educators and practitioners interested in alternative Level I fieldwork opportunities can consider the implications for a collaborative supervision model in an on-campus clinic environment.

Keywords

• experiential
• on-campus clinic
• fieldwork
• clinic supervision
• professionalism