Occupational Therapy Beyond Borders: Developing and Implementing an International OT Fieldwork Experience
Location
Room 218
Strand #1
Service/Programs - Higher Education
Strand #2
Service/Programs - General/Other
Relevance
Development and implementation of a sustainable global program is a focus of this conference. This poster outlines the process used to develop and implement a clinical experience within healthcare program in an underserved country.
This poster is very similar to the presentation submitted by the same authors, as both relate to the same global program. The poster will differ from the presentation as it will focus on visual documentation of the previous trips and experiences .
Brief Program Description
The millennial generation is the most globally connected generation to date. These students arrive on college campuses with international experiences and desire to continue interacting within the global community throughout their healthcare education. Higher education programs must recognize this and provide international experiences to further develop this generation of global citizens. This poster describes one healthcare program’s process of developing and implementing an international fieldwork experience.
Summary
International experiences are becoming increasingly popular
within occupational therapy as a strategy to enhance student
development, particularly in the area of cultural competence
(Lattazi & Pechak, 2011; Mu et al, 2013; Simonelis et al,
2011). As these experiences become increasingly popular within
the OT profession, academic programs are challenged to provide
students with fieldwork opportunities to develop such skills while
enrolled in the OT curriculum. The millennial OT student is
geared towards global connections and travel. Hence, OT
programs should embrace this openness by providing
international fieldwork experiences, which enhance student
development and cultural competence. This poster outlines one
program’s development and implementation of a culturally rich
OT international fieldwork experience.
In 2013, one occupational therapy program developed a fieldwork relationship
with a host facility in Kingston Jamaica . To date, four cohorts of Level
I fieldwork students and faculty have travelled to Jamaica and
provided services to the residents and caregivers of the host facility.
In this poster presentation the faculty who lead these trips will share their
experiences in developing and engaging in this international
educational opportunity. Valuable knowledge and lessons
learned will be shared including utilization of campus resources
for international travel and working with international customs
to bring medical supplies/equipment into an impoverished
country. The presenters will address preparatory activities
necessary to organize and implement such an educational
experience. The poster will also outline supervision and
feedback sessions during the weeklong trip to facilitate the
student learning process during the fieldwork experience. The
presenters will address the challenges associated with providing
services within a setting that has limited understanding of
occupational therapy or rehabilitation/habilitation services. The
cultural values and beliefs related to disability in the host
country will be presented as an essential component of the
international fieldwork experience. Program successes,
challenges and plans for future development including
opportunities for practicing clinicians will also be discussed.
Format
Poster 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, "Occupational Therapy Beyond Borders: Developing and Implementing an International OT Fieldwork Experience" (2015). Global Education Summit. 9.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/ges/2015/2015/9
Occupational Therapy Beyond Borders: Developing and Implementing an International OT Fieldwork Experience
Room 218
The millennial generation is the most globally connected generation to date. These students arrive on college campuses with international experiences and desire to continue interacting within the global community throughout their healthcare education. Higher education programs must recognize this and provide international experiences to further develop this generation of global citizens. This poster describes one healthcare program’s process of developing and implementing an international fieldwork experience.