Using Nominal Group Technique to Explore Competence in Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy Students during First-Year Placements

Abstract

Exploring supervisors' opinions about student competence is a complex issue. The nominal group technique offers an alternative to focus groups and individual interviewing, allowing opportunities for individual data generation and group discussion and evaluation. This paper records and critically appraises its use as part of an investigation of the qualities therapists value in students in their first full fieldwork placement.

This small-scale and exploratory qualitative study suggests that occupational therapists and physiotherapists appear to value very similar personal qualities in students, but that departments and individuals may give different weightings to skills and knowledge. The findings have implications for students, fieldwork supervisors and college educators when preparing for clinical placements.