An action research study resulted in an observed practice programme to advance the reflective skills of occupational therapists and physiotherapists. Action research offered a way of drawing on practitioners' knowledge and experience.
Method:
The programme was introduced through a one-day workshop to occupational therapists and physiotherapists of varying levels of experience within a mental health organisation. A purpose-designed questionnaire was used to evaluate learning outcomes and to capture participants' response to the workshops.
Results and conclusion:
The evaluation confirmed that the workshop design did support participants in developing the skills and confidence to implement the observed practice programme.
CoghlanDBrannickT (2001) Doing research in your own organisation. London: Sage.
2.
College of Occupational Therapists (2009) Preceptorship handbook for occupational therapists. 2nd ed. London: COT.
3.
DavysDMcKennaJTickleE (2008) Peer observation in professional development: Occupational therapists' perceptions. International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation, 15(6), 245–53.
4.
ErautM (2004) Sharing practice: Problems and possibilities. (Editorial.)Learning in Health and Social Care, 3(4), 171–78.
KirkpatrickDL (1959) Techniques for evaluating programs. Journal of American Society of Training Directors, 13(3), 21–26.
7.
MorleyMT (2007) A realist evaluation of a preceptorship programme for newly qualified occupational therapists. (Unpublished DOccT thesis.) Brighton: University of Brighton.
8.
MorleyMPettyNJ (2010) Developing an observed practice programme for occupational therapists and physiotherapists: Reporting the first phase of an action research study. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 73(8), 379–87.
9.
MunroBH (2001) Statistical methods for health care research. New York:Lippincott.
PettyNJ (2009) Towards clinical expertise: Learning transitions of neuromusculoskeletal physiotherapists. (Unpublished DPT thesis.) Brighton: University of Brighton.
12.
PettyNJMorleyM (2009) Clinical expertise: Learning together through observed practice. Manual Therapy, 14(5), 461–62.
13.
PolgarSThomasSA (1991) Introduction to research in health sciences. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
14.
RaeL (1997) Evaluation approaches for training and development. London: Kogan Page.
SchönDA (1987) Educating the reflective practitioner: Toward a new design for teaching and learning in the professions. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
17.
ShortlandS (2004) Peer observation: A tool for staff development or compliance?Journal of Further and Higher Education, 28(2), 219–28.
18.
TitchenA (2001) Critical companionship: A conceptual framework for developing expertise. In: HiggsJTitchenA, eds. Practice knowledge and expertise in the health professions. Oxford: Butterworth Heinemann, 80–90.
