title: Increasing the occupational therapy mental health workforce through innovative practice education: a pilot project.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This paper describes the evaluation of a pilot trial of two innovative placement models in the area of mental health, namely role emerging and collaborative supervision. The Queensland Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Collaborative conducted this trial in response to workforce shortages in mental health.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six occupational therapy students and eight practice educators were surveyed pre- and post-placements regarding implementation of these innovative models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Students participating in these placements reported that they were highly likely to work in mental health upon graduation, and practice educators were positive about undertaking innovative placements in future. An overview of the placement sites, trials, outcomes and limitations of this pilot trial is provided.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Though limited by its small sample size, this pilot trial has demonstrated the potential of innovative placement models to provide valuable student learning experiences in mental health. The profession needs to develop expertise in the use of innovative placement models if students are to be adequately prepared to work with the mental health issues of the Australian community now and in the future.
authors.affiliation: Division of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia. s.rodger@uq.edu.au
authors.forename: Sylvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rodger
authors.forename: Yvonne
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Sue
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Holley
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Springfield
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: Jacqui
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Broadbridge
authors.forename: Craig
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Greber
authors.forename: Cathy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McBryde
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Banks
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hawkins
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002321:Career Choice; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D008605:Mental Health Services; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000193:education* / Q000639:trends; D010560:Personnel Selection / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011231:Preceptorship / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011793:Queensland; D013336:Students, Health Occupations; D000078329:Workforce; D055815:Young Adult