title: Global partnerships for international fieldwork in occupational therapy: reflection and innovation.
abstract: International fieldwork placements (IFPs) have become very popular among healthcare students including those in occupational therapy programmes. There are many potential benefits that can accrue to the students; however, there are critiques of international placements especially for students going to underserviced areas. The purpose of this paper is to provide a case study/model programme description that critically reflects on six partnerships in three underserviced countries that provide IFPs to students from one Canadian university. The personal opinions of each partner were collected verbally, by email and by a qualitative review of the past 10 years of partnership interaction. Some of the benefits reported by partners include the development of an increased number of sustainable long-term quality placements, orientation materials, student supports and the involvement of university faculty in research and capacity building projects in partner countries. A number of challenges were identified including the need for an expanded formal agreement, more bilateral feedback and examination of supervision models. This paper examines a limited number of partnerships with only one Canadian partner. Direct input of students is not utilized, although feedback given to co-authors by students is reflected. More research is needed on perspectives of partners in IFPs, impact of IFPs on clinical practice in student's home countries, impact of IFPS on underserviced areas and effective strategies for debriefing.
authors: Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Debra
authors: D
authors: Cameron
authors: Lynn
authors: L
authors: Cockburn
authors: Stephanie
authors: S
authors: Nixon
authors: Penny
authors: P
authors: Parnes
authors: Lesley
authors: L
authors: Garcia
authors: Jacqui
authors: J
authors: Leotaud
authors: Kristina
authors: K
authors: MacPherson
authors: Peter A
authors: PA
authors: Mashaka
authors: Ruth
authors: R
authors: Mlay
authors: Julius
authors: J
authors: Wango
authors: Trish
authors: T
authors: Williams
mesh_terms: D002163:Cameroon; D002170:Canada; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D006801:Humans; D038622:Internationality; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000193:education* / Q000458:organization & administration; D016730:Program Development; D013636:Tanzania; D014300:Trinidad and Tobago