OTnews August 2020 | Page 31

STUDENT EDUCATION FEATURE the virtual coffee break has ‘enabled us to network with people we may not have done otherwise’ – a feature also valued by Caroline, who says that ‘it has been great to get to know other year groups’. In one session, students agreed to share study tips between cohorts; particularly useful at a time when students will be transitioning into the next year of the programme. The programme has previously had varying levels of success with bringing together the occupational therapy community at CCCU in its entirety, however the virtual coffee break has helped to reduce the barriers faced before. Enhancing connections between university and practice As the virtual coffee break has evolved, Sarah has invited occupational therapists in practice to join the sessions. They step from their onsite office, straight into our virtual room; no long commute, no university room bookings, no environmental barriers to limit group size and accessibility. Teresa Buchan, practice development and education lead for AHP in Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust, explains how ‘being able to step into the student’s session, made it a quick process that didn’t require excess travel’. Leanne Hunt, practice development occupational therapist, at Darent Valley Hospital, Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust, describes how she benefited: ‘It was great to have the opportunity to speak with students in this way. It enabled us as a department to gain an insight into how students are feeling in these extraordinary times. ‘By providing students with an insight into what placement might be like in an acute setting at present, I hope that it’s allowed them to prepare for entering placement and new posts as graduates’. The ability to engage directly with occupational therapy practitioners in a virtual environment provides a forum that is beneficial for students, the teaching team, and those in practice. This engagement with occupational therapy practitioners has been highly valued by students and the teaching team. Stephen Webb, occupational therapy placement lead, says that these sessions ‘have helped the students to gain a sense of how things are developing and a first-hand account of what the providers are expecting’. Teresa adds: ‘The usual placement processes are now very different for the short term. Being able to answer questions, clarify information and direct people to making informed decisions and acknowledgement of extended time scales I am sure alleviated a lot of anxieties that the students were experiencing. ‘These virtual coffee breaks allow those participating to ask questions, make enquiries and connections. I could dip my toe into their world for a moment, without being a person stood in front of them in a lecture hall, with all the degrees of power and hierarchy that brings.’ Currently we are all distancing from our normal activities and the virtual coffee break has offered many solutions to maintain our connection with university life. It is unknown whether the impact of COVID-19 is a temporary occupational disruption (Nizzero, Cote and Cramm 2017) or a more permanent occupational deprivation (Townsend and Polatajko 2013). Despite this tragic and devastating pandemic one thing is certain, our virtual café space has offered a valuable virtual extension to our working environment, that is appreciated by our occupational therapy community at Canterbury Christ Church University. References Nizzero A, Cote P and Cramm H (2017) Occupational disruption: A scoping review, Journal of Occupational Science, 24:2, 114-127, Christiansen.C and Townsend. E (2013) Introduction to occupation: Pearson New International Edition. Pearson Education Limited Townsend and Polatajko (2013) Enabling occupation II: Advancing an occupational therapy vision for health, wellbeing, and justice through occupation (2nd ed). Ottaawa: Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists Sarah Harvey, senior lecturer in occupational therapy, and Dr Gemma Wells, senior lecturer and professional lead in occupational therapy, Canterbury Christ Church University. Email: [email protected] or gemma.wells@ canterbury.ac.uk ©GettyImages/dem10 OTnews August 2020 31