Student Preparation for Paediatric Fieldwork

Abstract

Whilst the transition from academic to clinical environments is acknowledged to be stressful, students often feel unprepared for fieldwork, particularly in the area of paediatrics. Through examining the literature, it is proposed that fieldwork within specialty areas of practice, such as paediatrics, requires the development of specialist knowledge and skills. However, following an earlier small qualitative exploratory project, occupational therapy students Identified preparatory reading as the most common practical method of preparation. More than a year later, during guided interviews, a different cohort of students expanded upon the practices recommended by their peers and supported the literature In suggesting that both knowledge and skills need to develop in tandem. Students described situations where they utilised a generic basis to varying degrees for the development of specialist knowledge and skills. The model of self-directed learning, together with strategies of reflection and deep learning, has been identified as both a potential and an actual means for developing the required knowledge and skills within fieldwork settings. However, such learning strategies may need to be made very explicit for students who are preparing for paediatric fieldwork and a teaming pack has been proposed as a suitable method for conveying these strategies to students.