1000 fieldwork hours: analysis of multi-site evidence.
BACKGROUND
Internationally, the World Federation of Occupational Therapists has established a minimum of 1,000 hours as the fieldwork standard.


OBJECTIVE
To examine student development in fieldwork across placements to determine if students achieve entry-level competence after completion of 1,000 hours of fieldwork.


METHODS
Archival data (N=400) from six occupational therapy programs were analyzed to examine the acquisition of fieldwork competency over time as measured by the Competency Based Fieldwork Evaluation Scale.


RESULTS
Competency scores increased with each fieldwork placement, the majority of students achieved entry-level scores upon completion of their final fieldwork placement. While, on average, some competency scores exceeded entry level by 1,000 hours, Practice Knowledge, Clinical Reasoning, and Facilitating Change fell just short.


CONCLUSIONS
The identification of a plan for addressing the lower ratings in these three competencies should be considered.
Holmes
Jeffrey D
JD
School of Occupational Therapy, University of Western Ontario, 1201 Western Road, Room 2529 Elborn College, London, Ont., N6G 1H1. jeff.holmes@uwo.ca
Bossers
Ann M
AM
Polatajko
Helene J
HJ
Drynan
Donna P
DP
Gallagher
MaryBeth
M
O'Sullivan
Clare M
CM
Slade
Anita L
AL
Stier
Jill J
JJ
Storr
Caroline A
CA
Denney
Julie L
JL
D002983:Clinical Competence; D003162:Competency-Based Education; D006801:Humans; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000193:education*