Reflections of Occupational Therapy Graduates on Their Educational Curriculum at Kuwait University: An Exploratory...

Area of Science:

• Occupational therapy education
• Curriculum development
• Graduate preparedness

Background:

• Global trends necessitate integrating emerging practices (telehealth, community-based care, cultural safety) into occupational therapy curricula.
• Understanding graduate perspectives is vital for curriculum refinement and ensuring alignment with evolving professional demands.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate occupational therapy graduates' perspectives on their educational experiences at Kuwait University.
• To identify strengths and weaknesses in the occupational therapy curriculum based on graduate feedback.

Main Methods:

• A convergent parallel mixed-methods approach was employed.
• Data collection involved a self-developed questionnaire with quantitative and qualitative components.
• Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and t-tests; qualitative data underwent thematic analysis.

Main Results:

• 83 graduates participated; the questionnaire showed strong validity and internal consistency.
• Moderate satisfaction was reported for faculty support, with higher satisfaction among more experienced practitioners.
• Low satisfaction was noted for laboratory classes, particularly equipment and space. Graduates identified strengths in professionalism and occupation-based models but noted gaps in specialty exposure, interprofessional education, and preparation for telehealth and culturally responsive practice.

Conclusions:

• Graduate feedback is crucial for advancing occupational therapy education and enhancing clinical learning environments.
• Curriculum adaptation is essential to ensure graduates are well-prepared for professional challenges and aligned with healthcare priorities.