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The lived experience of doing a higher degree in occupational therapy from the perspective of five graduates: A phenomenological study
Author(s) -
Dawkins Helen,
May Esther
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
australian occupational therapy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.595
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 1440-1630
pISSN - 0045-0766
DOI - 10.1046/j.1440-1630.2002.00287.x
Subject(s) - occupational therapy , perspective (graphical) , degree (music) , psychology , higher education , occupational science , phenomenon , interpretative phenomenological analysis , medical education , clinical psychology , social psychology , medicine , qualitative research , sociology , social science , psychiatry , epistemology , philosophy , physics , artificial intelligence , computer science , acoustics , political science , law
The importance of supporting research activity in occupational therapy through higher degree study is widely accepted. Although completing a higher degree is acknowledged to be a unique and meaningful experience, few studies have been conducted to explore this phenomenon. This phenomenological study aimed to reveal and describe the experience of doing a higher degree from the perspective of five recent occupational therapy graduates. One in‐depth interview was conducted with each participant. Analysis of the data revealed five themes. The results suggest that the experience of doing a higher degree was exciting and challenging but also involved personal hardship and sacrifices. Support from supervisors, family, peers, colleagues, employers and friends made completing a higher degree achievable. Doing a higher degree facilitated personal growth and professional benefits, but it was the great sense of achievement and satisfaction apparent upon completion that was most significant for participants. Implications for occupational therapy and higher education are discussed.