scholarly journals The meaning that undergraduate Occupational Therapy students at the University of KwaZulu-Natal attach to the Occupation of dance

Author(s):  
Thanalutchmy Lingah ◽  
Juwairiyya Paruk

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Occupational Engagement is an inextricable component of life and is considered essential to human survival. Doing an occupation that is positively perceived (such as dance) can lead to the experience and expression of meaning which then enhances quality of life. This study aimed to explore the meaning that undergraduate Occupational Therapy students studying at the University of KwaZulu-Natal attach to dance as an occupation METHOD: The study followed an exploratory qualitative research design with purposive sampling. Focus groups and semi-structured interviews were utilized to collect data which were analysed thematically RESULTS: Five themes emerged: Centre stage (an exploration of factors motivating engagement); On Pointe (beneficial effects of dance); My Solo Dance Experience (the individual's journey whilst engaging); It Takes 2 to Tango (exploring the role of relationships) & Dancing to the Beat (exploring time available for engagement). The hidden complexities of 'meanings' attached to the occupation of dance emerged which were experienced as subjective and multi-dimensional CONCLUSION: The study revealed that the meanings attached to dance were based on individual experiences with the occupation, others and the environment. Engagement in the occupation of dance (doing) enhances personal growth (becoming) and becomes a part of the individual (being Keywords: doing; being; becoming; belonging; occupational engagement; occupational balance; occupation; dance; meaning

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 1941-9
Author(s):  
Belinda M Malinga ◽  
Deshini Naidoo ◽  
Thavanesi Gurayah ◽  
Pragashnie Govender

Background: In piloting a shift from traditional practice-based placements to decentralised clinical training (DCT), there was a need to explore the factors that influenced the placement as part of monitoring and evaluation. DCT involves placementto clinical sites away from the higher education institution necessitating changes to supervision strategies utilised.Objective: This study explored the experiences of clinical educators supervising occupational therapy students within this new model during a pilot phase of the DCT programme at one institution in South Africa.Method: The study was located in KwaZulu-Natal province and followed an explorative qualitative design with semi-structured interviews and focus groups with purposively sampled clinical educators (n=11). Data were audio-recorded and thematically analysed.Findings: Two central themes emerged and included the clinical educators’ expectations (organisation factors, role and scope of partners in decentralised training and communication) and experiences (perspectives and value of decentralised training).Conclusion: Decentralised training has considerable potential to contribute to authentic student learning. Improved communication between all stakeholders would assist in enhancing the quality of the learning experiences on such platforms. Students need to be more prepared prior to commencing DCT, and there is a need for more rural placements with a primary health care focus. Keywords: Decentralised training; clinical educators; service learning.


1996 ◽  
Vol 59 (8) ◽  
pp. 365-371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeanne Tyrrell ◽  
Howard Smith

This study measured levels of psychological distress among a sample of Irish occupational therapy students. Students from all four undergraduate classes (n=102) were surveyed, using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28). Over 40% of the students scored as having a ‘just significant clinical disturbance’ on the GHQ-28. Mean GHQ scores (or symptom levels) varied throughout the 4-year course and were highest just before examinations and during fieldwork placements. Students who had unhealthy diets or who smoked had significantly higher levels of psychiatric symptomatology. The prevalence of psychological distress among occupational therapy students was similar to that found in students from four other disciplines; however, the university students had much higher levels of symptomatology than the non-university peer group. The article concludes with some suggestions for dealing with stressful aspects of professional education and some recommendations for further research.


2003 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kym Sloggett ◽  
Nancy Kim ◽  
Debra Cameron

Background. Occupational therapists are entering private practice in ever increasing numbers. In order to gain the skills to practice in this area, students should have the opportunity to experience private practice fieldwork placements. However, the number offered in private practice settings continues to be limited. The purpose of this exploratory qualitative study was to identify the benefits, the barriers, and the strategies associated with providing fieldwork opportunities in private practice. Methods. Data were obtained through semi-structured interviews with six occupational therapists in private practice. Results. Results indicated that participating in fieldwork education affords benefits to the profession of occupational therapy, to the clinician, and to the facility. Potential barriers included student characteristics, cost, time, travel and legalities. Involvement from the university and the private setting were considered necessary for providing and implementing strategies. Clinical Implications. The findings have implications for increasing private practice placements for future students in occupational therapy and other health care professions offering clinical placements as a component of their formal education.


1999 ◽  
Vol 66 (5) ◽  
pp. 221-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny Strong ◽  
Leigh Tooth ◽  
Anita Unruh

In recent years there has been a growing awareness amongst health professionals of the need to prepare undergraduate students more adequately for practice with clients who have pain. Occupational therapists have a central role in enabling such clients to have productive lives despite pain. In this study, an examination was made of the adequacy of preparation for pain practice in graduates from one Australian occupational therapy curriculum. Recent occupational therapy graduates from the University of Queensland, Australia, who responded to a postal survey, obtained an overall 53% correct response rate to a 69-item pain knowledge and attitudes questionnaire. Results indicated the need for further education in this area, especially in the areas of pharmacological management, and pain assessment and measurement. These results were comparable to those obtained from final year occupational therapy students at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia prior to undertaking an elective course about pain. Follow-up interviews with a number of new graduates supported the inclusion of an elective pain course in the undergraduate occupational therapy curriculum at the University of Queensland in Australia.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 65
Author(s):  
Jose Antonio Méndez Serrano ◽  
Lucía Comino Mateos ◽  
Francisca García Rodríguez ◽  
Emilio Gómez Cobos

ResumenEl aprendizaje es experiencia, todo lo demás es información. (Albert Einstein). En nuestras escuelas, ¿informamos o creamos experiencias? ¿Cómo vieron la luz los grandes inventos y las teorías que hoy usamos en nuestro día a día? ¿Cuáles son las diferencias y similitudes entre los inventores y nuestros alumnos? ¿La docencia que yo realizo en el aula inspira a mis estudiantes a ser unos apasionados de lo que están haciendo, motivados por lo que van a descubrir y la utilidad que va tener para ellos, en su ámbito personal, profesional y, para la sociedad? Este artículo describe la experiencia y los resultados del Proyecto de Innovación Docente desarrollado en la Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería de Edificación de la Universidad de Granada. Los procesos metodológicos aplicados para mejorar la docencia, los resultados académicos y el crecimiento personal de cada participante. Se ha basado en tres iniciativas clave: a) Docencia coordinada basada en proyectos entre las cinco asignaturas del semestre. Se ajustan cronogramas y se usa un único modelo arquitectónico como objeto práctico para todas las asignaturas, se complementa la evaluación individual de los estudiantes con una defensa oral ante los profesores de las asignaturas. b) Adaptación de las clases, basada en la neuroeducación, para evocar la curiosidad, la atención y la memorización. c) Talleres formativos y proceso individual de coaching. En los primeros se desarrolla el aprendizaje cooperativo entre iguales, (interdependencia positiva), gestión del tiempo, formas de ser en el aula, el arte de emocionar en público, toma de decisiones y gestión de conflictos. En el segundo, proceso de acompañamiento realizado por un coach acreditado, por el cual mediante preguntas reveladoras y dinámicas, al estilo de la mayéutica socrática, el estudiante potencia sus virtudes y habilidades e identifica creencias limitantes, transformándolas para crear resultados diferentes.AbstractLearning is experience, all else is information. (Albert Einstein). In our schools, do we inform or create experiences? How did the great inventions and the theories that we use in our day to day life come to light? What are the differences and similarities between the inventors and our students? Does The teaching that I carry out in the classroom inspires my students to be passionate about what they are doing, motivated by what they will discover and the utility that it will have for them, in their personal and professional environment and, for society? This article describes the experience and results of the Teaching Innovation Project developed at the School of Building Engineering at the University of Granada. The methodological processes applied to improve teaching, academic results and personal growth of each participant. It has been based on three key initiatives: a) Coordinated teaching based on projects among the five subjects of the semester. Schedules are adjusted and a single architectural model is used as a practical object for all subjects, the individual assessment of the students is complemented with an oral defense before the subject teachers. b) Adaptation of classes, based on neuroeducation, to evoke curiosity, attention and memorization. c) Training workshops and individual coaching process. In The first of them, cooperative learning among equals (positive interdependence), time management, ways of being in classroom, the art of thrilling in public, decision making and conflict management are developed. In the second, a process of accompanying conducted by an accredited coach, through revealing and dynamic questions, in the style of Socratic maieutic, the student strengthens their virtues and abilities and identifies limiting beliefs, transforming them to create different results.


Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 1243
Author(s):  
Dulce Romero-Ayuso ◽  
Araceli Ortiz-Rubio ◽  
Paz Moreno-Ramírez ◽  
Lydia Martín-Martín ◽  
José Matías Triviño-Juárez ◽  
...  

The assessment of the acquisition of professional skills is an essential process in occupational therapy students. Until now, there has been no standardized and validated instrument for evaluating these skills in Spanish occupational therapy students. This study reports the development and testing of the psychometric properties of the professional skills in students of occupational therapy during their practical training. Methods: A new instrument was developed to assess the professional skills of occupational therapy students, called CPTO. A total of 69 occupational therapists participated in evaluating 295 occupational therapy students from the University of Granada, between the 2018 and 2021 academic years. Results: Of a total of 79 items, the factor analysis yielded a final solution of 33 items, which explains 70.22% of the variance with the following three dimensions: (1) self-appraisal and professional responsibility (α = 0.951); (2) communication skills and delivering intervention (α = 0.944); and (3) clinical reasoning for assessing and planning the intervention (α = 0.947). The instrument allows students with low, medium, high and excellent clinical skills to be differentiated according to the cutting points established by the quartiles. Conclusion: the instrument has good psychometric properties, and is a useful tool to assess professional competencies in occupational therapy students during their practice placement education.


1988 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 126-134
Author(s):  
Lynn Hammett ◽  
Karen Harburn ◽  
Steve Trujillo

Undergraduate occupational therapy students learn the theory and mechanics of functional strength assessment and manual muscle testing in order to measure the effectiveness of their physical treatments and to ascertain the functional level of their patients. However, it is important to determine how practicing therapists are actually assessing strength. This information would help both in directing curriculum teaching efforts at the undergraduate level and in assessing the needs of the profession in the use of clinical strength measurement systems. The present study sought to determine the therapy areas and extent of use of functional and manual muscle tests by occupational therapists across Canada. Information was also gained about the factors related to the use of manual muscle testing by practicing clinicians. The results of the survey indicated that occupational therapists do use manual muscle testing, but to a lesser extent than functional assessments. A large number of therapists stated they relied on other co-workers, such as physical therapists, to perform manual muscle tests on their patients. Though they did not perform the manual muscle tests themselves, occupational therapists thought that occupational therapy students should have a thorough knowledge of manual muscle testing in order to work effectively as a team member in the clinic. The study also found that University of Manitoba graduates used manual muscle testing with the greatest percentage of their patients than any of the other Canadian graduates surveyed. Of interest is the finding that manual muscle testing use increased when instruction occurred on the job in addition to the University teaching of the skill.


2007 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 148-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Hodgetts ◽  
Vivien Hollis ◽  
Ollie Triska ◽  
Steven Dennis ◽  
Helen Madill ◽  
...  

Background. Occupational therapy students' and graduates' perceptions of their professional education have received limited attention. Purpose. This paper presents the perspectives of occupational therapy students and graduates regarding satisfaction with their professional education and preparedness for practice. Methods. Students and graduates provided feedback as part of an occupational therapy educational program evaluation at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. Data were collected through surveys, focus groups, and telephone interviews. Results. Both students and recent graduates reported that they felt they lacked technical, intervention skills. Longer-term graduates were comfortable with their knowledge and skills, especially their ability to provide individualized intervention. Overall, students and graduates were satisfied with their education; however, it appeared to take between six months and two years of clinical practice for therapists to feel clinically competent. Implications. The results of this evaluation may have important implications for educational programs, students, graduates, fieldwork supervisors, and employers.


2003 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 94-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison Whitehead

This study aimed to develop an understanding of occupational therapy students' experiences of violent attack by a client. A qualitative approach was chosen, which involved semi-structured interviews with three students and an analysis of the researcher's experience of violent attack. A wide variety of reactions to violent attack by a client was reported, including fear, anger, concern for others, minimisation and thoughts about changing career. The explanations for these reactions are reported and discussed. The participants reported changes in their therapeutic relationships with clients. The findings also suggested that there might be some occupational therapy personnel who feel that violence is ‘part of the job’. Three key issues are discussed: the nature of the reactions to violent attack, the perceptions of role and the therapeutic relationship with the client. It is suggested that these findings have important implications for the education and training and the support of occupational therapy students. Recommendations are made regarding the need for further research to inform the way forward in training and supporting those experiencing violence in clinical practice settings.


1995 ◽  
Vol 58 (10) ◽  
pp. 441-444
Author(s):  
Greg Kelly ◽  
Mary McCormick ◽  
Claire McKenna

This article suggests that the promotion of awareness and understanding of occupational therapy could feasibly be extended to Include primary school children. Evidence from two studies carried out by final year occupational therapy students at the University of Ulster shows that children as young as 8 years old are able to understand some of the basic concepts of occupational therapy and to retain this information. One study used a storybook to explain the concept of occupational therapy while the other incorporated the concept of occupational therapy into the more general area of health education.


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