COVID-19 and the local landscape of occupational therapy education: a case report about the voices of Cebuano occupational therapy educators and students

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented many disruptions for countless individuals around the globe. In the Philippines, community quarantine was imposed to contain its spread. With occupational therapy education one of those greatly affected by the disruption, the voices of occupational therapy educators and occupational therapy students were essential in informing the actions needed to support the practice. This case report presents key themes that emerged from the online discussion, reflective journal entries, and a survey completed by faculty members and students. Findings reflect a health and safety concern by both educators and students. Also, as there is a shift to online classrooms, occupational therapy education programmes are presented with a need to brush up on efficient content delivery and assessment methods fit for the virtual context and its accessibility for all. More so, occupational therapy educators are also presented with the responsibility of supporting each other’s mental health and those of their students.

KEYWORDS:

• COVID-19
• occupational therapy education
• online education
• telehealth
• occupational disruption
• Cebu
• Philippines

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).