title: Instructing occupational therapy students in use of theory to guide practice.
abstract: We investigated the effectiveness of instructing students in occupational therapy practice models to facilitate their competence in applying theory in clinical practice. Course evaluation data were gathered and analyzed retrospectively. We found that perceived understanding of theory and its application improved significantly after instruction. The students' perceived competence in theory use predicted their level of confidence in their assessment and intervention skills. We concluded that emphasis on instruction of students in the use of occupational therapy practice models could be a viable method of improving practice through consistent use of theoretical guidelines in clinical reasoning.
authors.affiliation: Occupational Therapy Department, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, USA.
authors.forename: Moses N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Ikiugu
authors.forename: Stacy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Smallfield
mesh_terms: D000488:Allied Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods; D020377:Self Efficacy; D013336:Students, Health Occupations; D013850:Thinking
keywords: Occupational therapy; Professional identity; Theoretical conceptual practice models; Theory application