title: New graduate occupational therapists feelings of preparedness for practice in Australia and Aotearoa/New Zealand.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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 Australia and Aotearoa/New Zealand regarding their education and work preparedness.
  
  
  METHODS
  Newly graduated occupational therapists from Australia (n = 178) and Aotearoa/New Zealand (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 Australian new graduates, and even fewer (8.5%) of Aotearoa/New Zealand 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 Australia and Aotearoa/New Zealand. 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.
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Science, Health and Education, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Qld, Australia. marion.gray@usc.edu.au
authors.forename: Marion
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: Merrolee
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Penman
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: Yvonne
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Trevan-Hawke
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000193:education*; D012111:Residence Characteristics