Faculty-Led Virtual Level 1 Community Fieldwork during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Faculty-Led Virtual Level 1 Community Fieldwork during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Language: English
Authors: Tiffany L. Benaroya, Margaret Swarbrick, Michelle Zechner, Ann A. Murphy, Meredith Cimmino
Source: Journal of Occupational Therapy Education. 2022 6(2).
Availability: Journal of Occupational Therapy Education. 521 Lancaster Avenue, Richmond, KY 40475. e-mail: jote@eku.edu; Web site: https://encompass.eku.edu/jote/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 22
Publication Date: 2022
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: COVID-19, Pandemics, Field Instruction, Occupational Therapy, Electronic Learning, College Faculty, Allied Health Occupations Education, Mental Health, Student Attitudes, College Students
ISSN: 2573-1378
Abstract: Fieldwork is an integral portion of occupational therapy education that ensures students have the opportunity to develop basic competencies in real world practice settings. The national shortage of fieldwork placements, particularly in the area of mental health, in combination with the COVID-19 pandemic, have led to the adoption of increasingly innovative fieldwork models. This retrospective, qualitative study investigates occupational therapy assistant students' experiences of completing a faculty-led (i.e. where faculty served as the primary fieldwork educator) and virtual (i.e., where services were offered in a virtual environment) Level I fieldwork with a community-based peer led behavioral health agency. Twenty-three students completed a confidential survey describing their experiences in Fall 2020. A secondary analysis of students' responses was performed using principles of thematic analysis, which yielded results centered on four themes: knowledge, skills, attitudes, and structure. Subcategories highlighted growth across multiple areas including knowledge of occupational therapy's role in mental health, interpersonal skills, and use of technology and other resources. Students' preconceived notions of individuals with mental illness were challenged and many reported increased confidence in their abilities to work with these individuals. Both positive and constructive feedback were provided regarding the overall virtual fieldwork experience. The faculty-led virtual fieldwork model was viable in supporting occupational therapy assistant students' skills to engage people with mental health and substance use challenges in a community setting. The potential use of this model is discussed in light of the anticipated increase of behavioral health problems for many across the lifespan post-COVID-19 pandemic.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1467286
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
CustomLinks:
  – Url: https://eric.ed.gov/contentdelivery/servlet/ERICServlet?accno=EJ1467286
    Name: ERIC Full Text
    Category: fullText
    Text: Full Text from ERIC
Header DbId: eric
DbLabel: ERIC
An: EJ1467286
AccessLevel: 3
PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
PreciseRelevancyScore: 0
IllustrationInfo
Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: Faculty-Led Virtual Level 1 Community Fieldwork during the COVID-19 Pandemic
– Name: Language
  Label: Language
  Group: Lang
  Data: English
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Tiffany+L%2E+Benaroya%22">Tiffany L. Benaroya</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Margaret+Swarbrick%22">Margaret Swarbrick</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Michelle+Zechner%22">Michelle Zechner</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ann+A%2E+Murphy%22">Ann A. Murphy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Meredith+Cimmino%22">Meredith Cimmino</searchLink>
– Name: TitleSource
  Label: Source
  Group: Src
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Occupational+Therapy+Education%22"><i>Journal of Occupational Therapy Education</i></searchLink>. 2022 6(2).
– Name: Avail
  Label: Availability
  Group: Avail
  Data: Journal of Occupational Therapy Education. 521 Lancaster Avenue, Richmond, KY 40475. e-mail: jote@eku.edu; Web site: https://encompass.eku.edu/jote/
– Name: PeerReviewed
  Label: Peer Reviewed
  Group: SrcInfo
  Data: Y
– Name: Pages
  Label: Page Count
  Group: Src
  Data: 22
– Name: DatePubCY
  Label: Publication Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2022
– Name: TypeDocument
  Label: Document Type
  Group: TypDoc
  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
– Name: Audience
  Label: Education Level
  Group: Audnce
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Descriptors
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22COVID-19%22">COVID-19</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Pandemics%22">Pandemics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Field+Instruction%22">Field Instruction</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Occupational+Therapy%22">Occupational Therapy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Electronic+Learning%22">Electronic Learning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Faculty%22">College Faculty</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Allied+Health+Occupations+Education%22">Allied Health Occupations Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mental+Health%22">Mental Health</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Attitudes%22">Student Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Students%22">College Students</searchLink>
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
  Group: ISSN
  Data: 2573-1378
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Fieldwork is an integral portion of occupational therapy education that ensures students have the opportunity to develop basic competencies in real world practice settings. The national shortage of fieldwork placements, particularly in the area of mental health, in combination with the COVID-19 pandemic, have led to the adoption of increasingly innovative fieldwork models. This retrospective, qualitative study investigates occupational therapy assistant students' experiences of completing a faculty-led (i.e. where faculty served as the primary fieldwork educator) and virtual (i.e., where services were offered in a virtual environment) Level I fieldwork with a community-based peer led behavioral health agency. Twenty-three students completed a confidential survey describing their experiences in Fall 2020. A secondary analysis of students' responses was performed using principles of thematic analysis, which yielded results centered on four themes: knowledge, skills, attitudes, and structure. Subcategories highlighted growth across multiple areas including knowledge of occupational therapy's role in mental health, interpersonal skills, and use of technology and other resources. Students' preconceived notions of individuals with mental illness were challenged and many reported increased confidence in their abilities to work with these individuals. Both positive and constructive feedback were provided regarding the overall virtual fieldwork experience. The faculty-led virtual fieldwork model was viable in supporting occupational therapy assistant students' skills to engage people with mental health and substance use challenges in a community setting. The potential use of this model is discussed in light of the anticipated increase of behavioral health problems for many across the lifespan post-COVID-19 pandemic.
– Name: AbstractInfo
  Label: Abstractor
  Group: Ab
  Data: As Provided
– Name: DateEntry
  Label: Entry Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2025
– Name: AN
  Label: Accession Number
  Group: ID
  Data: EJ1467286
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=eric&AN=EJ1467286
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 22
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: COVID-19
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Pandemics
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Field Instruction
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Occupational Therapy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Electronic Learning
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: College Faculty
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Allied Health Occupations Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Mental Health
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Attitudes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: College Students
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Faculty-Led Virtual Level 1 Community Fieldwork during the COVID-19 Pandemic
        Type: main
  BibRelationships:
    HasContributorRelationships:
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Tiffany L. Benaroya
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Margaret Swarbrick
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Michelle Zechner
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Ann A. Murphy
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Meredith Cimmino
    IsPartOfRelationships:
      – BibEntity:
          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 01
              Type: published
              Y: 2022
          Identifiers:
            – Type: issn-electronic
              Value: 2573-1378
          Numbering:
            – Type: volume
              Value: 6
            – Type: issue
              Value: 2
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: Journal of Occupational Therapy Education
              Type: main
ResultId 1