Why Fieldwork Placements?

The Benefits of Student Clinical Education

Within the occupational therapy profession it has long been recognized that fieldwork is a core element of occupational therapy education and the place where students integrate theory and practice. Occupational therapy programs aim for graduates to be effective and innovative in their future practice and support them to graduate as critical thinkers and reflective practitioners. Fieldwork placements provide the ideal learning experiences for this to occur.

There are a range of benefits for the occupational therapy clinical educator and the student when they engage in a fieldwork placement together. Some of the benefits to clinical educators include the opportunity to share new ideas and to learn about current education trends and techniques, and evidence-based practice. Students may potentially provide additional client consultations that may not occur otherwise thereby assisting the occupational therapist's workload. Students can also create additional information resources for the workplace.

Clinical educators often report that students add a certain level of enthusiasm to clinical practice and provide the clinical educator with the opportunity to model sound professional practice. Providing clinical education to students may be a professional challenge that creates the opportunity for the occupational therapist to contribute to the future of the profession.

"Students add to the service by providing a theoretical paradigm to the interventions and practices provided" K. Adam, OT clinical educator, workplace rehabilitation practice (personal communication, May 10, 2007) A clinical education environment provides many valuable learning opportunities for a student's professional growth and development. It exposes them to a diverse range of contexts and delivery systems in which to apply a variety of skills; it enables them to develop and use skills in networking and consultation, as well as opportunities to engage in professional reasoning and development of professional relationships. Importantly, whilst on fieldwork placements, students develop an identity as an occupational therapist and an understanding of the occupational therapy process. (Potts et al. 1998; Rorke, 2005). "I feel [clinical education] is an integral part of me in maintaining my 'OT-ness' and providing it should not be seen as a one way street or charity to the student or university, but a hand-in-hand learning process. I feel a sense of responsibility to the profession, I mean, the buck stops here". K. Adam (personal communication, May 10, 2007)