Introduction / Rationale: Occupational therapy students are expected to absorb a great deal of information prior to beginning their clinical fieldwork requirements. Many lack confidence that they can remember and apply all that they have learned in order to successfully complete their training as occupational therapy practitioners. Offering an intensive refresher course can boost their confidence and remind them of what they have learned.
Learner Objectives:
1. Describe a successful intensive review session of core skills needed for clinical training experiences
2. Apply concepts learned to boosting confidence and readiness in students embarking on culminating clinical education experiences.
Methods / Approach: It was determined that students felt overwhlemed and anxious about their readiness to participate in required clinical experiences, despite being provided with all the required training. In response to this feedback from OT students and clinical preceptors, an intensive refresher course was designed to increase confidence and success. It was offered just prior to embarking on this last leg of their educational experience. The first iteration was successful but had room for improvement based on evaluation data. Subsequent versions incorporated suggestions for strengthening this preparatory training with great success. Topics such as professional behaviors, basic skills checks, documentation requirements and safety compliance were reviewed with students with the involvement of local clinicians.
Results / Practice Implications: Evaluation metrics indicate overall satisfaction with the intensive review sessions as well as successful completion of clinical education placements.
Conclusion / Contribution to the occupational therapy profession: Providing an intensive review session prior to fieldwork results in more confident and successful learners.