Impact of International Immersion Experiences in Occupational Therapy Education: A Retrospective Survey

ABSTRACT Purpose. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of an international education experience on participants’ self-perceived personal growth, international perspective, and intellectual development using a modified version of the International Education Survey (IES). Method. Seventy-one participants, representing occupational therapy practitioners and students from multiple universities, completed the survey. Results. Mean scores were highest for impact in the area of International Perspectives (M= 5.32), followed by Personal Development (M=4.65), and Intellectual Development (M=4.05). Additionally, 100% of the participants responded that all university students should be encouraged to engage in international education experiences (M=6.66). Qualitative comments related to the impact of their experiences revealed increased awareness and appreciation for cultural differences, a feeling of personal growth, and a reshaping of both personal life priorities and professional responsibilities. Study limitations include the relatively small sample size, variability of length of participants’ international experience, as well the variability in the number of immersion experiences reported. Conclusions and Recommendations. Engaging students in international immersion experiences during academic preparation had a positive impact on participants’ self-perceived cultural competence. Future research should explore the impact of the length of time and number of international experiences on practitioners’ perceptions of cultural competence as well as the impact of immersion experiences on professional practice

Passing the NBCOT Examination: Preadmission, Academic, and Fieldwork Factors

All occupational therapy students are required to successfully complete the certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) before they can practice independently. The need to repeat the examination can result in stress, anxiety, and financial hardship. This paper explores the relationship of preadmission factors, academic and fieldwork performance, and demographic variables to successful first-time attempts on the certification examination for occupational therapists. Data were gathered from 144 student files in a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) Program at a single university. Of the sample, 82% passed and 18% failed their first NBCOT test trial. Considered independently, preadmission recommendation letters and writing sample scores, graduate MOT program GPA, lack of MOT program difficulty, fieldwork self-reports, and gender predicted NBCOT certification examination outcomes. When considered together in logistic regression models predicting outcome, this combination of factors correctly predicted 86.2% of student outcomes (or 20% to 32% of the variance in certification examination success), with OT program GPA and preadmission recommendation scores predicting unique outcome variance. This information may be helpful to admissions committees as well as to occupational therapy faculty as they identify strategies and practices to facilitate first-time test taking success on the NBCOT certification examination

Outcomes of an Online Post Professional Doctorate Degree in Occupational Therapy

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine outcomes of a post professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program on graduates’ engagement in evidence-based practice, leadership, and scholarly activities one year post graduation. Method: Thirty graduates of a post professional OTD program completed an online survey addressing evidence-based practice skills, implementation of occupation and evidence-based programs, and participation in leadership and scholarly endeavors. Results: The majority of graduates reported confidence in their evidence-based practice skills and using evidence in clinical decision making. Over half of the respondents reported designing or revising occupation based programs, and all indicated that their OTD education improved their practice skills. Fifty-three percent reported assuming new leadership positions, with one third reporting engagement in scholarly activities since graduation.Conclusion: This research suggests post professional OTD programs have potential to develop practitioners grounded in occupation centered and evidence-based practice who can serve as professional leaders and mentors. Additionally, the results have implications for other allied health disciplines with post professional doctoral programs

Design of an Online Curriculum Promoting Transformative Learning in Post Professional Doctoral Students

Written reflections of 113 occupational therapy clinical doctoral students who graduated from an online program between 2007 and 2013 were analyzed for themes which reflected transformative learning and characteristics of curricular design which promoted transformative learning. Qualitative analyses of written reflections were performed. Several themes emerged which are presented using the framework of Person/Learner, Environment/Learning Context, and Occupation/Engagement in Learning Activities. Strategies such as active learning; assignments that directly apply to students’ work settings; implementation of a cohort model; and use of reflection, dialog, and project implementation appear to be effective in facilitating transformative learning in an online clinical doctoral program