Occupational therapy students’ experience with using a journal in fieldwork and factors influencing its use

ABSTRACT

The aims of this study were to (1) describe journal use in occupational therapy fieldwork and students’ preferences regarding use, and (2) document factors that influence this use. We used a mixed method design: Quantitative data were collected through an online survey developed by the research team, and qualitative data from afocus group. Respondents were in the thirdyear of the professional bachelor’s‒master’s continuum curriculum in occupational therapy. Descriptive and content analyses were used. We found that most of the 32 students who completed the survey used atraditional structured journal, daily at the beginning of fieldwork and less often at the end. The majority spent less than 30 minutes completing the journal during and outside fieldwork time. For 19/32 participants, the preceptor’s feedback was received weekly via different means. This use did not reflect participants’ preferences as 48% of the students considered journal use helpful in fostering reflective practice. Eight influencing factors emerged from the focus group (n = 4): student’s communication skills, student’s communication preferences, journal structure, frequency of use, student’s workload, and three other factors related to the social environment. In conclusion, journal use and students’ preferences vary and are influenced by different personal and contextual factors. To optimize journal use, areflective approach is desirable.

KEYWORDS:

• Journal
• students
• occupational therapy
• reflective practice
• fieldwork
• preceptors

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Quebec Research Agency – Society & Culture (FRQ-SC) [publication grant from FUTUR team]; Quebec Research Agency – Heath (FRQ-S) [AR was supported by a senior career award];

Notes on contributors

Cloé Craig-Duchesne

Cloé Craig-Duchesne, is an occupational therapist (OT) currently working as a clinician in long-term care in the Province of Quebec in Canada. She obtained her professional master in occupational therapy from University of Montreal. The study presented in this article was realized as an integrated project required for her master’s degree. As a student, she was also a member of the Centre de recherche interdisciplinaire en réadaptation du Montréal métropolitain (CRIR).

Annie Rochette

Annie Rochette, OT, PhD is a professor at the School of Rehabilitation at University of Montreal, in Canada and a researcher at CRIR. She holds a senior career award from the Quebec Research Funds – Health. Her research interests are in pedagogy, knowledge transfer, competence development and in the area of stroke rehabilitation. She is the actual leader of the internationally recognized knowledge transfer website on stroke rehabilitation www.strokengine.ca.

Sylvie Scurti

Sylvie Scurti, OT, is currently in charge of the management and development of clinical education at the occupational therapy program, School of Rehabilitation at University of Montreal, in Canada. Before taking on these responsibilities, she has worked for many years as a clinician, as a clinical educator being in charge of university courses relating to geriatrics and was also the fieldwork coordinator at the University.

Johanne Beaulieu

Johanne Beaulieu, OT, is a clinical-assistant professor at the occupational therapy program, School of Rehabilitation at University of Montreal, in Canada. She has worked for many years as a clinician and is now responsible of university courses relating to mental health in occupational therapy as well as courses relating to the development of reflexive practice including the use of a portfolio for competence development.

Brigitte Vachon

Brigitte Vachon, OT, PhD is an associate professor at the School of Rehabilitation at University of Montreal and a researcher at the Centre de recherche de l’Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, in Canada. Her current research focuses on improving health services offered to people with chronic illness using a collaborative approach and reflexive practices including the impact of using a portfolio in the context of continuing professional development in practice.