Preparation for an uncertain world: international curriculum development for mental health occupational therapy

ABSTRACT

Occupational therapy graduates are entering an increasingly complex practice landscape, particularly in the field of mental health. Moreover, the role of higher education in effectively preparing graduates for the challenges they face in an uncertain world is still developing. An innovative, international online learning module involving three countries (the UK, South Africa and Belgium) was created with the aim to improve graduates’ preparedness for practice. A total of 215 final-year occupational therapy students’ engagement in an on-line discussion forum was analysed using a case study design. The study revealed significant increases in inter-cultural sensitivity amongst students measured pre and post project, alongside numerous challenges in engagement and learning. Augmented learning opportunities within the curriculum are argued as vital to equip graduates with enhanced agency, greater resilience and improved tolerance for managing complexity. Further research is required to enable graduates to be better prepared for practice and to develop skills to help navigate and manage the ‘not knowing’.

KEYWORDS:

• Occupational therapy
• mental health
• online international learning
• cultural competence
• professional practice

Notes

¹A Vodcast is a video stored in a digital form (using a mobile device, or other recording equipment) to enable it to be broadcast over the Internet.

²The cutup method was a mechanical method of juxtaposition used by Burroughs, an acclaimed film-maker, who literally cut up passages of prose by himself and other writers and then pasted them back together at random.

³There are a number of limitations that should be taken into account in the analysis of the ISS data. Firstly, it was not possible to include the data from PXL University College and the UCT due to limited numbers. Additionally, the retention for CU students was only 44.44%.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Thelma Cardwell Research Foundation funding agency.