The Influence of Fieldwork on the Professional Socialisation of Occupational Therapy Students

Abstract

This article describes a qualitative study which focused on the role played by fieldwork in the professional socialisation of four occupational therapy students. Data were collected through Interviews, observational visits and a review of the students' daily journals. Four major themes relating to professional socialisation emerged during the study: the nature of professionalism; the concept of occupational therapy; learning the language of the professional; and the shifting focus of the different levels of placements. The results of this study have implications for the implementation of fieldwork experiences.