A Pilot Investigation of Occupational Therapy Students’ Perceptions of Their Impact on Services to Older Adults
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18552/ijpblhsc.v6i2.436Keywords:
aged care, occupational therapy, occupational therapy students, older adults, placement education, student-delivered servicesAbstract
Practice education is an integral component of occupational therapy curricula to ensure graduates are competent in delivering effective and efficient services to their clients. This study aimed to understand occupational therapy students’ perceptions of the impact of student-delivered services for clients aged over 65 years. A case study design directed at in-depth exploration of undergraduate occupational therapy student experiences of working with older adults was employed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight final-year students at an Australian university during 2015. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. The key finding was that students generally believed they contributed positively to aspects of client-services during placements. Students reported on the development of competence during placement and the positive impact they had on services for older adults. The study highlighted the unique intergenerational relationship students had with older adults during their therapeutic encounters. However, very few participants recognised the importance and complexity of providing holistic services to older adults. Conclusion: There is potential to improve services for older adults by offering a greater number of placement opportunities involving students in direct client services. If occupational therapy students are better prepared, supported, and informed of the complexities associated with working with older adults, direct client-services rendered by students could potentially be enhanced. This will require ongoing collaboration between occupational therapy workforce, placement sites, and universities to align occupational therapy curricula with healthcare needs.References
Atwal, A., McIntyre, A., Craik, C., and Hunt, J. (2008) ‘Older adults and carers' perceptions of pre-discharge occupational therapy home visits in acute care’. Age and Ageing [online] 37 (1), 72–76. https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afm137 [1 July 2016]
Australian Bureau of Statistics (2009) Future Population Growth and Ageing. (Cat. no. 4102.0). Canberra, Australia: Australian Bureau of Statistics
Barksby, J. (2014) ‘Service users' perceptions of student nurses’. Nursing Times, 110 (19), 23–25
Berk, L. (2017) Development Through the Lifespan. 7th edn. New York: Pearson
Braun, V. and Clarke, V. (2006) ‘Using thematic analysis in psychology’. Qualitative Research in Psychology [online] 3 (2), 77–101 https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa [1 July 2016]
Creswell, J.W. (2013) Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches. 3rd edn. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage
Creswell, J.W. (2014) Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. 4th edn. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage
Csontó, S. (2009) ‘Occupational therapy students' consideration of clients' spirituality in practice placement education’. The British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 72 (10), 442–449 https://doi.org/10.1177/030802260907201005
Davies, R., Hanna, E., and Cott, C. (2011) ‘“They put you on your toes”: Physical Therapists' perceived benefits from and barriers to supervising students in the clinical setting’. Physiotherapy Canada, 63 (2), 224–233 https://doi.org/10.3138/ptc.2010-07
Denzin, N. and Lincoln, Y. (2011) ‘The Discipline and Practice of Qualitative Research’. in The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Research. Ed. by Denzin, N. and Lincoln, Y. 4th edn. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 1–19
du Toit, S. and Wilkinson, A. (2011) ‘Promoting an appreciation for research-related activities: The role of occupational identity’. The British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 74 (10), 489–493 https://doi.org/10.4276/030802211X13182481842029
Fortune, T. and McKinstry, C. (2012) ‘Project-based fieldwork: Perspectives of graduate entry students and project sponsors’. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 59 (4), 265–275 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-1630.2012.01026.x
Freeth, D., Reeves, S., Goreham, C., Parker, P., Haynes, S., and Pearson, S. (2001) ‘“Real life” clinical learning on an interprofessional training ward’. Nurse Education Today [online] 21 (5), 366–372 https://doi.org/10.1054/nedt.2001.0567 [1 July 2016]
Hanson, D.J. (2011) ‘The perspectives of fieldwork educators regarding Level II fieldwork students’. Occupational Therapy in Health Care, 25 (2), 164–177 https://doi.org/10.3109/07380577.2011.561420
Health Workforce Australia (2011) Mapping Clinical Placements: Capturing Opportunities for Growth. Adelaide, Australia: Health Workforce Australia
Higgs, J. (2011) Professional and Practice-based Education at Charles Sturt University. Sydney, Australia: 2e The Education For Practice Institute, CSU, Sydney Olympic Park
Kent, F. and Keating, J. (2013) ‘Patient outcomes from a student-led interprofessional clinic in primary care’. Journal of Interprofessional Care 27 (4), 336–338 https://doi.org/10.3109/13561820.2013.767226
Kuan, S. and O'Donnell, J. (2007) ‘Medical students in the emergency department: how do patients view participation in clinical teaching?’ Irish Medical Journal, 100 (8), 560–561
Lewis, S.C. (2003) Elder Care in Occupational Therapy. 2nd edn. Thorofare, NJ: SLACK
Mason, L. R. and Bull, B. J. (2006) ‘Practice placement education in mental health: The educator's experience’. The British Journal of Occupational Therapy [online] 69 (1), 22–30 https://doi.org/10.1177/030802260606900105
Mol, S.S.L., Peelen, J.H., and Kuyvenhoven, M.M. (2011) ‘Patients’ views on student participation in general practice consultations: A comprehensive review’. Medical Teacher, 33 (7), e397–e400 https://doi.org/10.3109/0142159X.2011.581712
Mountain, G.A. (2004) Occupational Therapy with Older People. London: Whurr
NSW Government (2008) Budget Estimates 2008-09 – NSW Treasury. [online] available from <http://www.treasury.nsw.gov.au/budget_papers/Budget_Papers_2008-09/bp3/2008-09_budget_paper_3> [1 July 2016]
Occupational Therapy Australia (2018) Australian Occupational Therapy Competency Standards 2018. [online] available from https://www.occupationaltherapyboard.gov.au/codes-guidelines/competencies.aspx [16 September 2018]
Olivier, M., Oosthuizen, L., and Casteleijn, D. (2007) ‘Occupational therapy students' contribution towards enabling potential in a semi-rural community’. Work 29 (1), 63–68
Opdenakker, R. (2006) ‘Advantages and disadvantages of four interview techniques in qualitative research’. Forum: Qualitative Social Research [online] 7 (4), Article 11. available from <http://www.qualitative-research.net/index.php/fqs/article/view/175/391> [1 July 2016]
Patton, M.Q. (2015) Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods: Integrating Theory and Practice. 4th edn. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage
Rodger, S., Fitzgerald, C., Davila, W., Millar, F., Springfield, K., Thomas, Y., … Greber, C. (2011) ‘Consumers' perspectives of quality in student delivered occupational therapy services’. Focus on Health Professional Education [online] 13 (2), 37–52. available from <http://search.informit.com.au.ezproxy2.library.usyd.edu.au/documentSummary;dn=537891909705604;res=IELHEA> [1 July 2016]
Rodger, S., Stephens, E., Clark, M., Ash, S., and Graves, N. (2011) ‘Occupational therapy students’ contribution to occasions of service during practice placements in health settings’. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 58 (6), 412–418 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-1630.2011.00971.x
Roots, R.K. and Li, L.C. (2013) ‘Recruitment and retention of occupational therapists and physiotherapists in rural regions: A meta-synthesis’. BMC Health Services Research, 13 (59) https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6963-13-59
Scheffer, C., Edelhäuser, F., Tauschel, D., Riechmann, M., and Tekian, A. (2010) ‘Can final year medical students significantly contribute to patient care? A pilot study about the perception of patients and clinical staff’. Medical Teacher, 32 (7), 552–557 https://doi.org/10.3109/01421590903437170
Schindler, V.P. and Sauerwald, C. (2013) ‘Outcomes of a 4-year program with higher education and employment goals for individuals diagnosed with mental illness’. Work, 46 (3), 325–336 doi: 10.3233/WOR-121548
Siggins Miller Consultants (2012) Promoting Quality in Clinical Placements: Literature Review and National Stakeholder Consultation. Adelaide, Australia: Health Workforce Australia
Spencer, J., Blackmore, D., Heard, S., McCrorie, P., McHaffie, D., Scherpbier, A., … Southgate, L. (2000) ‘Patient‐oriented learning: A review of the role of the patient in the education of medical students’. Medical Education, 34 (10), 851–857. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2923.2000.00779.x
The Treasury (2015) 2015 Intergenerational Report Australia in 2055. [online] available from < http://apo.org.au/node/53411 [16 September 2018]
Thomas, Y., Dickson, D., Broadbridge, J., Hopper, L., Hawkins, R., Edwards, A., and McBryde, C. (2007) ‘Benefits and challenges of supervising occupational therapy fieldwork students: supervisors’ perspectives’. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal 54 (S1), s2–s12 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-1630.2007.00694.x
Trail Ross, M.E. (2012) ‘Linking classroom learning to the community through service learning’. Journal of Community Health Nursing [online] 29 (1), 53–60 https://doi.org/10.1080/07370016.2012.645746
Trede, F., McEwen, C., Kenny, A. and O'Meara, P. (2014) ‘Supervisors' experiences of workplace supervision of nursing and paramedic students in rural settings: A scoping review’. Nurse Education Today, 34 (5), 783–788 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2013.10.003
Wearne, S.M. (2011) ‘In-practice and distance consultant on-call general practitioner supervisors for Australian general practice?’ The Medical Journal of Australia [online]195 (4), 224–228. available from <https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2011/195/4/practice-and-distance-consultant-call-general-practitioner-supervisors-australian> [1 July 2016]
World Federation of Occupational Therapists (2016) Revised Minimum Standards for the Education of Occupational Therapists. [online] available from <http://www.wfot.org/Store/tabid/61/CategoryID/1/ProductID/55/Default.aspx> [29 January 2018]
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons License "Attribution-NonCommercial No Derivs 4.0 International" (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) which permits others to use the publication as long as the authors are appropriately cited.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
- The Author grants to Coventry University an irrevocable, royalty-free, worldwide, non-exclusive licence to publish this article in this journal in addition to the licence granted at paragraph 1 of this copyright notice.
