Introduction / Rationale: Graduate healthcare programs face increasing challenges in student success and retention, with students struggling to adapt to rigorous demands. In one occupational therapy (OT) program, difficulties are evident in Anatomy and Kinesiology (A&K) and Level II Fieldwork (FW). To address this, enhanced collaboration between Academic Fieldwork Coordinators (AFWCs) and faculty is critical.
Objectives: To develop methods for increased collaboration between AFWCs and faculty to promote student success.
Methods / Approach: Two collaborative strategies were implemented. First, recognizing the difficulty in applying A&K content, students were strategically placed in hand therapy or general physical rehabilitation Level I FWs concurrent with the course, bridging the gap between knowledge and application and fostering a deeper understanding of the content. Second, facilitating improved communication between AFWCs and faculty prior to Level II FW placement. Through structured surveys, faculty provide AFWCs with crucial feedback on student performance across courses, including A&K and intervention-based courses. This data-driven approach allows for optimized student-to-setting matches, increasing the likelihood of success.
Results / Practice Implications: Strategically placing students in A&K focused Level I FW placements during their first semester builds a foundation for success in future intervention coursework by solidifying student understanding of function and activity analysis. Additionally, utilizing a structured, skill-specific survey to gather comprehensive student performance data across courses can help address student success and retention. This collaboration facilitates informed placement decisions by identifying individual strengths and challenges, and ensure students are placed in Level II FW environments conducive to their success.
Conclusion / Contribution to the occupational therapy profession: This approach can be adapted by other OT and healthcare education programs to enhance student success and retention.