title: Establishing a practice climate in academic settings.
abstract: This article describes an innovative educational approach that was introduced and developed in one occupational therapy program, favorably assessed by students, and promoted within the occupational therapy literature. A review of educational literature from other disciplines suggests that the approach characterized as creating a practice climate, may be useful to most allied health educators. We discuss (1) the meaning of the term practice climate, (2) the rationale for creating such a climate in larger classroom sessions, (3) nine process strategies that can establish this climate, and (4) an assessment of the approach by two groups of undergraduate students. Although introduced in a senior-level undergraduate course, the approach has merit for implementation in less advanced courses and in graduate education.
authors.affiliation: Occupational Therapy Department, School of Allied Health Sciences, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas 77551-1028, USA. speloqui@utmb.edu
authors.forename: Suzanne M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Peloquin
authors.forename: Karen A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Osborne
mesh_terms: D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D004517:Education, Professional / Q000379:methods*; D017145:Models, Educational; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000193:education*; D015279:Organizational Culture; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012576:Schools, Health Occupations / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States