Graduate perspectives of fieldwork placements in developing countries: Contributions to occupational therapy practice

Fieldwork placements are central to occupational therapy programmes. A variety of placements assists occupational therapy students by increasing their exposure to a range of experiences. Placements in developing countries extend and offer alternative learning opportunities and can enable unique personal and professional competencies. However, it is unknown how placement experiences of occupational therapy students in developing countries have made an impact on their practice as graduates. This exploratory investigation aimed to identify the perceptions of occupational therapy graduates about the experiences and outcomes of fieldwork placements they had completed in developing countries.

Nine occupational therapy graduates who had completed a fieldwork placement in a developing country were recruited. Qualitative data were gathered using semi-structured interviews and were analysed to code and construct relationships and highlight key categories.

Being immersed outside of personal comfort zones was a primary mechanism to produce lasting benefits after placement. The process of overcoming challenges was supported and fuelled by personal characteristics and environmental features of the placement. The experience resulted in gains of personal qualities, professional skills and insights, which translated to practice as graduates.

Unique outcomes were gleaned from placements in developing countries as students that contributed personally and professionally to current and future practice as graduates. A larger national or international study would provide further evidence to inform education providers and future students about the value of placements in developing countries for student learning and development, and graduate outcomes.