Developing and Implementing a Sustainable International Fieldwork Experience

Presenters

Sharon Swift, Georgia Regents UniversityFollow
Pamalyn Kearney, Georgia Regents UniversityFollow

Location

Room 218

Strand #1

Service/Programs - Higher Education

Strand #2

Teaching - Higher Education

Relevance

This proposal documents the development and implementation of a sustainable international fieldwork program in higher education. Although this is considered clinical experience within the department's curriculum, the focus of the trip is service learning to ensure that both parties benefit from the experience. This would fall under best practices for global initiatives as outlined in the conference call for papers as it is a priority that this international program is sustainable for both the educational and host organizations.

Brief Program Description

International fieldwork has become more popular than ever among the millennial student. These students are already globally connected and desire to continue this throughout their healthcare education. This presentation describes one healthcare program’s process of developing and implementing an international fieldwork experience which is sustainable for the host organization and educational institution.

Summary

International experiences are becoming increasingly popular within occupational therapy as a strategy to enhance student development (Lattazi & Pechak, 2011; Simonelis et al, 2011). As these experiences become increasingly popular within healthcare education, programs are challenged to provide students with international experiences while enrolled in healthcare curriculum. The millennial student is geared toward global connections and travel. Healthcare educational programs can embrace this openness by providing international experiences, which can enhance student development and cultural competence. This presentation describes one program's development and implementation of a culturally rich sustainable international fieldwork experience. In this presentation, Occupational Therapy faculty members who have led four international Level I fieldwork groups (49 students total) will share their experiences in developing and engaging in this educational opportunity. Valuable knowledge and lessons learned will be shared including utilization of campus resources for international travel as well as working within international customs protocols to bring medical supplies and equipment into the host country. The presenters will address preparatory activities necessary to organize and implement this educational experience as well as discuss supervision and feedback sessions utilized during the weeklong trip to facilitate student learning. Challenges associated with providing services within a setting that has a limited understanding of occupational therapy or rehabilitation/habilitation services will be discussed. Program successes, challenges and plans for future development will be presented.

References:

Cameron, D., Cockburn, L., Nixon, S., Parnes, P., Garcia, L., Leotaud, J., …Williams, T. (2013). Global partnership for international fieldwork in occupational therapy: reflection and innovation. Occupational Therapy Internatonal, 20, 85-93.

Lattanzi, J.B. & Pechak, C. (2011). A conceptual framework for international service learning course planning: Promoting a foundation for ethical practice in physical therapy and occupational therapy professions. Journal of Allied Health, 40, 103-109.



Lattanzi, J.B. & Pechak, C. (2012). Educating globally minded physical therapist students:curriculum strategies to equip the next generation. Journal of Physical Therapy Education, 26, 55-60.

Mu, K., Coppard, B., Bracciano, A., Doll, J. & Matthew, A. (2012). Fostering cultural competency, clinical reasoning, and leadership through international outreach. Occupational Therapy and Health Care, 24, 74- 85.

Simonelis, J., Njelesani, J., Novak, L., Kuzma, C. & Cameron, D. (2011). International fieldwork placements and occupational therapy: Lived experiences of the major stakeholders. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 58, 370-377. doi:10.1111/j.1440-1630.2011.00942.x

Format

Individual/Group Paper Presentation

Biographical Sketch

Dr Sharon Swift is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy at Georgia Regents University. She is the Director of Student Affairs and Alumni Relations and also serves as the International Fieldwork Director. Dr Swift earned a Bachelors of Science in Special Education at University of South Florida and taught as a special education teacher in Tampa, Florida. She earned a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Occupational Therapy and a Master of Science in Healthcare at Eastern Kentucky University. She is a 2012 graduate of Georgia Southern where she earned her Educational Doctorate in Education Administration. Dr Swift serves on the Executive Board of Lynndale, a community day program and on the Augusta Adaptive Sports Council.

Dr Pamalyn Kearney is an Associate Professor and Program Director of the Department of Occupational Therapy at Georgia Regents University. Dr Kearney received her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy and Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Thomas Jefferson University and her Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership from Widener University. She is a Certified Aging in Place Specialist through the National Association of Home Builders and serves on the Roster of Accreditation Evaluators for the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education.

Keyword Descriptors

global service, international service, international program development, healthcare service

Presentation Year

2015

Start Date

9-18-2015 2:15 PM

End Date

9-18-2015 3:15 PM

Recommended Citation

Swift, Sharon and Kearney, Pamalyn, "Developing and Implementing a Sustainable International Fieldwork Experience" (2015). Global Education Summit. 10.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/ges/2015/2015/10