The Skill Acquisition of Two Newly Qualified Occupational Therapists

Abstract

This research was an investigation, using a case study approach, to gain an understanding of the professional development of two newly qualified occupational therapists. Six interviews were undertaken with each therapist between November 1997 and June 1998. A reflective assignment written in May 1997 by the subjects when they were students also added to the data collection. The progressive nature of their learning resembled the Dreyfus and Dreyfus (1986) model of skill acquisition, where advancement to proficiency level of many skills was evident. Their progression in such a short time was an important finding of this research. This suggested that the amount of exposure to clinical experience was not an indicator of skill acquisition. Instead, the individual merits of the learner, as evidenced by the skills that he or she demonstrated, was a better indicator of professional development. The progression through the stages was explained by reflection on experience. The rapid advancement to proficiency level by the two therapists was thought to be due to their good reflective skills, which facilitated their learning.