Evaluating a Level I fieldwork model for independent living skills

A model for Level I fieldwork in which students co-led independent living skills (ILS) groups in clinical settings and observed occupational therapy evaluation and treatment was implemented in a curriculum and evaluated for its effectiveness. The evaluation surveys from this study suggest that the model is most effective in courses and clinical settings that deal with adult and young adult client populations. All clinicians in these settings believed that the students provided a service to the clients by co-leading ILS groups, and nearly all believed that student-led groups would be valuable for their clients in the future. The students reported learning about group leadership skills and developing creative activity adaptations to meet different clients' needs. Faculty members want to continue using this model because they think it facilitates students' integration of clinical and classroom experiences.