Combining roles as an academic instructor and a clinical practitioner in occupational therapy: benefits, challenges, and strategies for success.
SUMMARY Approximately 28% of the total occupational therapy (OT) faculty in higher education are adjunct faculty members. Adjunct faculty (i.e., faculty who teach a course or part of a course) have been used in higher education to maintain quality educational experiences while providing positive community connections and educational resources with first-hand experience. In occupational therapy, practitioners often assume adjunct faculty responsibilities, thereby significantly increasing professional workloads. Despite added effort, there are several benefits to adjunct teaching. However, there are equally as many challenges. Objectives of this article were to describe rewards and challenges of adjunct teaching and suggest strategies for successfully negotiating adjunct roles. The article summarizes findings from needs assessments undertaken to develop adjunct faculty programs. Results are relevant to practitioners with both clinical and teaching roles, and to their supervisors and peers.
Department of Occupational Therapy, Virginia Commonwealth University.
Albert E
AE
Copolillo
Elizabeth Walker
EW
Peterson
Christine A
CA
Helfrich