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Abstract

Background.

Many occupational therapy programs have augmented curricula to provide students with opportunities to engage in international fieldwork placements (IFPs). However, limited research exists exploring the perceived influence that IFPs may have on future occupational therapy roles and characteristics.

Purpose.

The purpose of this study is to explore how Canadian occupational therapists who participated in IFPs as students perceive the influence of their IFP experience on their subsequent practice.

Method.

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 occupational therapists who participated in IFPs as occupational therapy students. The interview guide was developed based on the Profile of Occupational Therapy Practice in Canada and relevant literature. A directed content analysis was used in conjunction with the DEPICT model of data analysis to guide the analysis process and summarize the results.

Findings.

Participants described how IFPs nurtured the development of six skills, or active ingredients, which supported the development of competence in occupational therapy roles. IFPs were also perceived as providing a competitive edge.

Implications.

This study suggests that IFPs shape the development of competence in key practice skills and occupational therapy roles.

Description.

De nombreux programmes de formation en ergothérapie ont élargi leurs programmes d’études afin d’offrir aux étudiants des possibilités de participer à des stages internationaux. Toutefois, peu de recherches ont été menées sur les perceptions quant à l’influence que les stages internationaux peuvent avoir sur les futurs rôles et caractéristiques de l’ergothérapie.

But.

Le but de cette étude est d’explorer les perceptions des ergothérapeutes canadiens ayant participé à des stages internationaux quant à l’influence de leur expérience de stage sur leur pratique subséquente.

Méthodologie.

Des entrevues semi-structurées ont été réalisées auprès de 20 ergothérapeutes ayant participé à des stages internationaux alors qu’ils étaient étudiants. Le guide de l’entrevue a été élaboré en fonction du Profil de la pratique de l’ergothérapie au Canada et de la littérature pertinente. Une analyse dirigée du contenu a été utilisée de concert avec le modèle d’analyse de données DEPICT afin d’orienter le processus d’analyse et de faire le sommaire des résultats.

Résultats.

Les participants ont indiqué que les stages internationaux leur avaient permis de faire l’acquisition de six compétences, ou ingrédients actifs, qui ont favorisé l’acquisition de compétences associées aux rôles en ergothérapie. Les participants ont également eu le sentiment que les stages internationaux leur avaient procuré un avantage concurrentiel.

Conséquences.

Cette étude suggère que les stages internationaux favorisent l’acquisition de compétences clés associées à la pratique et aux principaux rôles en ergothérapie.

Keywords

Clinical competence Education Low- and middle-income countries Practicum compétences cliniques formation pays à revenus faibles et intermédiaires stage

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Becoming an occupational therapist: Perceived influence of international fieldwork placements on clinical practice

Abstract

Background.

Purpose.

Method.

Findings.

Implications.

Description.

But.

Méthodologie.

Résultats.

Conséquences.

Keywords

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References