Project Lead: Alexis Davis (Assistant Professor of Teaching & Academic Fieldwork Coordinator, Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy)
Co-Lead: Keith O’Connor (Clinical Assistant Professor, Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy)
Project Description
Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) students complete five fieldwork placements, totaling twenty-nine weeks over the course of their two-year program. Research has revealed a high incidence of mistreatment in occupational therapy clinical education environments (Boniface & Drynan, 2024), contributing to stressful learning conditions and reinforcing power imbalances within student–preceptor relationships. Students often enter fieldwork with a strong understanding of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) issues. This awareness—combined with the lived experiences they report during placements—served as the catalyst for this project. By drawing on a collaborative pedagogical approach, facilitators will guide the development of a JEDI-informed resource that reflects both the challenges and insights emerging from clinical education.
Research Questions
- What forms of mistreatment are occurring within student–preceptor interactions during clinical placements?
- What learning activities or resources can be implemented to help prevent or address these issues?
- How can we promote healthier, more equitable power dynamics in clinical education settings?