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New graduate occupational therapists feelings of preparedness for practice in A ustralia and A otearoa/ N ew Z ealand
Author(s) -
Gray Marion,
Clark Michele,
Penman Merrolee,
Smith Julie,
Bell Joanna,
Thomas Yvonne,
TrevanHawke Judith
Publication year - 2012
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 - 10.1111/j.1440-1630.2012.01029.x
Subject(s) - preparedness , feeling , competence (human resources) , interpersonal communication , medicine , occupational therapy , medical education , psychology , nursing , physical therapy , management , social psychology , economics
Aim The development of competent future allied health professionals through academic programmes, professional support and practical education is continually evolving. The aim of this study was to explore the feelings of newly graduated occupational therapists in A ustralia and A otearoa/ N ew Z ealand regarding their education and work preparedness. Methods Newly graduated occupational therapists from A ustralia ( n = 178) and A otearoa/ N ew Z ealand ( n = 53) who had completed their occupational therapy studies in 2007 were recruited. Participants completed an online survey which explored their preparedness for work; based on professional competencies. Results Most newly graduated occupational therapists felt somewhat prepared for practice. However, only 17.1% of A ustralian new graduates, and even fewer (8.5%) of A otearoa/ N ew Z ealand new graduates felt very well prepared. Participants felt more prepared for the competencies required for ‘managing inwards’ (including interpersonal skills) and less prepared for those required for ‘managing outwards’ (including evidence‐based practice). Conclusions This study provides the first international comparison into the feelings of competence and preparedness for practice of new graduates of occupational therapy from A ustralia and A otearoa/ N ew Z ealand. Given the importance of competencies, such as evidence‐based practice to the progress of the profession, there is a need to further explore methods to increase feelings of preparedness in these areas.