Students’ experiences of attending an innovative occupational therapy professional practice placement in a childcare setting

ABSTRACT

This study investigated occupational therapy students’ experiences of their alternative fieldwork placement at one childcare center where there was no established occupational therapy service. A semi-structured focus group interview explored four students’ placement experiences. The interview was audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and content analyzed. Five categories emerged from the students’: (i) learning opportunities; (ii) skills developed during the placement; (iii) supports and strategies needed for positive and successful learning outcomes; (iv) challenges experienced; and (v) the unique features of the alternative fieldwork placement. The findings contribute to the evidence base of occupational therapy students’ experiences of alternative fieldwork placements as part of their practice education.

KEYWORDS:

• Occupational therapy
• practice education
• learning experiences
• childcare center
• early intervention
• alternative fieldwork placement

Declaration of interest

The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this paper. All three authors were involved in the development, analysis, and writing up this manuscript.

Funding

This research received no specific grant support from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.