This was an invaluable experience , which I feel extremely fortunate to have been a part of , and which I am confident has increased my skills in preparation for practice placement .”
This was an invaluable experience , which I feel extremely fortunate to have been a part of , and which I am confident has increased my skills in preparation for practice placement .”
‘ It was a chance for all of us to come together , discuss our experiences as they occurred and to reflect on learning . Ward week gave us the opportunity to practise things such as interviewing , activity analysis and group work skills in a safe and supportive environment .
‘ It gave us an opportunity to create a real rapport with the PCPIs . The amount of work that must have gone into the preparation for the week was clear to see . This was an invaluable experience , which I feel extremely fortunate to have been a part of , and which I am confident has increased my skills in preparation for practice placement .’
The ward week was a huge success . The aim of the week was to provide learners with an opportunity to experience what it might be like on their very first practice placement , at the same time as using some of their practice skills that they have been working on since they joined the university last September .
‘ Throughout the week we completed a number of occupational therapy-based assessments and activities to build skills in preparation for practice ,’ says Sophie Henderson , a year one occupational therapy student on the accelerated route .
‘ This was a fantastic opportunity to be able to put theory into practice , building therapeutic relationships in a simulated setting to prepare for engaging with service users on placement . As a result , I feel much more prepared going into my first practice placement . I am very grateful to the brilliant PCPI team and occupational therapy department for this experience .’
Transferable learning
Having subsequently reflected on the week , there were far more outcomes and benefits than we ever anticipated . One member of the PCI team reported that ‘ it brought me more confidence and gave me
something positive to get out of bed for , even on mornings when I could have stayed there all day .’
At the end of the week another PCPI stated : ‘ I am exhausted , but the week was worth every second of involvement . Engaging with the students and seeing their confidence grow over the week has been amazing . I am honoured to have been part of this activity .’
Students remained calm and professional throughout the week , taking on tasks and activities that were planned and sometimes unexpected . Our simulation facilities , coupled with our PCPI participants , allow the students to learn and then transfer this learning to the practice setting .
Another of the students on the accelerated route , Victoria Stewart , talked about her learning at the end of the week , and said that ‘ hearing all the ways you cope with what you have been through – strategies I wouldn ’ t even have thought of – now I can take into practice and use with my own patients .’
This transferable learning reinforces the importance of real patient involvement to support the students ’ learning . As a team at the university , we had hoped to an provide a memorable learning experience . We certainly think we achieved this and more .
Words NINA BEDDING , Professional Lead Occupational Therapy , Senior Lecturer / Placement Lead / Programme Lead ( Apprenticeship ), Occupational Therapy , University of Sunderland , nina . bedding @ sunderland . ac . uk .
Above top : Havannah Fox-Storey , accelerated occupational therapy student
Above bottom : Simulated hospital ward at University of Sunderland
July 2023 OTnews 47