title: Exploring the complexity of the academic fieldwork coordinator role.
abstract: A nation-wide survey was conducted of occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant academic fieldwork coordinators (AFWCs) to describe demographic characteristics and tasks of the role. From the data, 10 clusters of role tasks of the AFWC are described. AFWCs view the position as a final career goal although the majority of respondents reported 5 years or less experience. Administrative assistant support and hours dedicated to fieldwork tasks are higher at the professional level than for occupational therapy assistant AFWCs. AFWCs reported difficulty accomplishing tasks in a 40-h work week and limited time for research and scholarship. Recommendations are provided for recruitment and retention through development of a systematic training program and establishment of a national fieldwork education research agenda.
authors.affiliation: 1Occupational Therapy Department, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stutz-Tanenbaum
authors.forename: Debra J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Hanson
authors.forename: Jeanette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Koski
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Greene
mesh_terms: D005178:Faculty; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000193:education*; D024382:Professional Role; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016526:Workload
keywords: Faculty member roles; Fieldwork education; Occupational therapy education