title: The influence of environment on the fieldwork experience: exploring interprofessional student perspectives.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the impact and importance of the physical, social and institutional environments on the outcome of their first fieldwork experience from the perspectives of occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT) students.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty two percent (n=84) of OT and 65% (n=51) of PT students completed the survey. The majority of students were female, aged 20-25 years, and supervised using a one student to one educator supervision model.
  
  
  METHODS
  A paper survey was mailed to all OT and PT students during their junior fieldwork placement. Demographic, nominal score data and responses to closed-ended questions generated descriptive statistics. Qualitative data resulting from the open-ended questions underwent content analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  OT and PT students' fieldwork experiences and perceptions of their environment were remarkably similar, however, OT students indicated the physical environment (e.g., having a desk, access to a computer) and orientation (e.g., having a tour) were more important to their impressions of the placement as positive.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  By knowing how the environment impacts the fieldwork experience for students, stakeholders involved in the fieldwork process are in a better position to identify and be proactive in making changes to improve placement quality.
authors: Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada. susan.mulholland@ualberta.ca
authors: Susan
authors: S
authors: Mulholland
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Hall
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000193:education*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000193:education*; D018794:Problem-Based Learning / Q000379:methods; D012931:Social Environment; D013336:Students, Health Occupations / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult