Supervisor and Student Expectations of Level II Fieldwork.

Area of Science:

• Occupational therapy education
• Clinical fieldwork supervision

Background:

• Level II fieldwork is crucial for occupational therapy students.
• Understanding evolving expectations is vital for effective training.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare current fieldwork supervisor expectations with those from five years prior.
• To assess alignment between supervisor and student expectations.
• To examine supervisory practices in Level II fieldwork.

Main Methods:

• Questionnaires administered to 81 fieldwork supervisors.
• Surveys completed by 29 students during their second fieldwork rotation.

Main Results:

• Supervisors reported increased expectations for students.
• Supervisor and student expectations were found to be in agreement.
• Healthcare environment demands and updated educational requirements were identified as key influences.
• Traditional supervisory techniques remain prevalent.

Conclusions:

• Study findings offer insights into contemporary student expectations.
• Results can inform university curriculum development for fieldwork preparation.
• Enhanced understanding supports better alignment between academic training and clinical practice.