Collaborating with a service where occupational therapy is not currently present emphasised the shared professional values and the significance of community-based support .”
Collaborating with a service where occupational therapy is not currently present emphasised the shared professional values and the significance of community-based support .”
Collaborative working
Charlotte says she was ‘ delighted ’ to learn that her final placement would be in a specialised neurorehabilitation setting , split between inpatient care and a community-based group , supported by a third sector organisation .
‘ While it took the first few weeks to find my feet , the placement design gave me numerous opportunities to use the various tools I have gathered over the past four years to gain experience and build confidence in my final placement .
‘ Peer assisted learning enabled Gulmira and I to work collaboratively on the scoping exercise . We applied our knowledge of occupational science , leadership and transformation theories , effectively bridging the gap between theory and practice .
‘ We demonstrated our learning through various methods , including posters , presentations , and report writing . This variety enhanced my understanding of communitybased work and allowed me to gain confidence using different skills .’
Long-arm supervision from Angela Millar , Network Development Manager – Scotland , Headway UK , provided the students with valuable contextual insights , Charlotte explains , enhancing their scoping exercise recommendations .
‘ Collaborating with a service where occupational therapy is not currently present emphasised the shared professional values and the significance of community-based support ,’ she says .
‘ Clinical practice at Murdostoun offered valuable insight into the brain injury rehabilitation journey . The two days a week spent there quickly became a highlight for me . I loved the busy , supportive environment and appreciated the practical approach that allowed me to develop core occupational therapy skills , such as intervention planning and implementation .
Charlotte is now ‘ incredibly excited ’ to continue her development as a newly-qualified occupational therapist with the team at Murdostoun .
‘ This final placement was a series of firsts for me – peer-assisted learning in a practice setting , long-arm supervision and delivering a scoping exercise project . The innovative design of the placement , coupled with the support and enthusiasm of all involved , made these opportunities possible .’
A huge impact
Angela says that the key positive impact of the placement was on the people who access the services .
‘ Gulmira and Charlotte brought expertise , willingness , commitment and great care to their roles and this was commented on by our members . The scoping exercise undertaken as part of the placement is of great value to the local Headway group , but also to us at Headway UK from a development point of view .
‘ The innovative and well researched proposals put forward are a welcome addition to our work . Having had such a positive experience , we are now making UK-wide recommendations for colleagues on facilitating student placement experiences given the impact made by Charlotte and Gulmira .’
From the university ’ s perspective , Joanna Beveridge says : ‘ I am continually amazed by the ingenuity and bravery of colleagues in practice to step into new ways of delivering practice based learning , given the continual challenges they face .
‘ You can perhaps imagine my excitement when I read the initial email from Gillian explaining their ideas for a peer-assisted , long arm , project-based placement between their service and Headway North Lanarkshire !
‘ My response was an immediate “ yes , let ’ s talk ”, which we did , and through several planning meetings the placement was developed .
‘ We fully recognise the many benefits for all involved that these placements bring , as well as the work involved to set them up , particularly in the first iteration . One of the most favourable outcomes has been the employment of one of the learners into a newly qualified post within the host organisation .’
Words CHARLOTTE KEEBLE and GULMIRA SMALL , graduating occupational therapy students , Queen Margaret University , Edinburgh
40 OTnews November 2024