Date of Award
2025
Document Type
Scholarly Project
Degree Name
Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
Department
Occupational Therapy
First Advisor
Karrianna Iseminger
Abstract
Background: A level II fieldwork experience is essential within occupational therapy programs as it allows occupational therapy students to apply what they have learned in the classroom to real-life practice. Students need to complete level II fieldwork to graduate, become practicing therapists, and grow the field of occupational therapy. However, many practitioners, particularly those specializing in hand therapy, hesitate to accept students for fieldwork placements. Barriers reported by hand therapy practitioners include a lack of student knowledge, preparation, and clinical skills (Short et al., 2017; Valdes et al., 2022). Hand therapy settings' rapid pace and demanding nature require students to be adequately prepared, eager to learn, and willing to engage in additional study beyond what is offered in the standard occupational therapy curriculum (Valdes et al., 2022). Therefore, occupational therapy students doing a level II fieldwork placement need a resource in addition to their entry-level occupational therapy program to assist them in being more prepared.
Purpose: This scholarly project aims to prepare OT students for level II fieldwork in the advanced hand therapy setting. The preparation guide offers essential hand therapy information, education, and learning opportunities to help students build their knowledge and confidence in their clinical skills.
Methods: The development of this scholarly project was guided through the Ecology of Human Performance (EHP) model (Dunn, 2017). The phases of development included a literature review, skilled observation, and collaboration with hand therapists. The aim was to identify the VIII gaps and opportunities for occupational therapy students in hand therapy level II fieldwork. The process began with an extensive literature review conducted through numerous electronic databases, including PubMed, CINAHL, Clinical Key, the American Occupational Therapy Association, and the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education. Research topics include evidence-based hand therapy practice, fieldwork barriers, practitioner perspectives, and students’ perspectives on fieldwork experience. Additionally, skill observation and collaboration took place on-site with hand therapists and orthopedic healthcare professionals.
Recommended Citation
Meyer, Claire, "Increasing Occupational Therapy Student Preparedness for Level II Fieldwork Experiences in Hand Therapy" (2025). Occupational Therapy Capstones. 669.
https://commons.und.edu/ot-grad/669