Interprofessional education (IPE) in health profession training is recognized as a key to improving patient care in practice settings. Though recognized as extremely important, implementation of IPE remains a challenge for many health profession programs. Despite challenges, the seven health profession (HP) programs at D'Youville College initiated IPE using healthcare simulation with professional actors serving as simulated patients. Faculty from chiropractic, dietetics, nursing, occupational therapy, pharmacy, physical therapy and physician assistant programs collaborated in this year-long implementation process. This manuscript provides a description of the planning, delivery and assessment of this innovative interprofessional simulation and the creation of the campus Interprofessional Clinical Advancement Center. Students reported enhanced understanding and respect of professional roles and responsibilities and ability to communicate effectively. Faculty reported an ability to encourage interaction and collaboration among HP students. Suggestions for curricular improvements and program sustainability included professional development and compensation. This manuscript should assist other health professional programs seeking guidance to implement and evaluate interprofessional education in academic institutions.

The purpose of fieldwork education is to propel each generation of occupational therapy practitioners from the role of student to that of practitioner. Through the fieldwork experience, future practitioners achieve competence in applying the occupational therapy process and using evidence-based interventions to meet the occupational needs of a diverse client population. Fieldwork assignments may occur in a variety of practice settings, including medical, educational, and community-based programs. Moreover, fieldwork placements also present the opportunity to introduce occupational therapy services to new and emerging practice environments. Fieldwork assignments constitute an integral part of the occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant education curricula. Through fieldwork, students learn to apply theoretical and scientific principles learned from their academic programs to address actual client needs within the context of authentic practice environments. While on fieldwork, each student develops competency to ascertain client occupational performance needs to identify supports or barriers affecting health and participation and document interventions provided. Fieldwork also provides opportunities for the student to develop advocacy, leadership, and managerial skills in a variety of practice settings. Finally, the student develops a professional identity as an occupational therapy practitioner, aligning his or her professional judgments and decisions with the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Standards of Practice (AOTA, 2005b) and the Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics (AOTA, 2005a).

Date Presented 4/16/2015 Students’ perceptions of academic preparation and fieldwork indicate a clear disconnect that can lead to student frustration. Teachers and clinicians need to work together to support Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) Standard C.1.1 and to provide fieldwork that is in sync with classroom education and that enhances student outcomes. This study sought to determine the connection between students’ perceptions of occupational therapy academic preparation and clinical experiences, particularly Level I experiences.