Comparing Occupational Therapy Students' Competency Scores: 2:1 versus 1:1 Fieldwork

Abstract

Fieldwork is essential to occupational therapy students’ development of professional competencies. Fieldwork models using student-to-fieldwork educator ratios of 1:1 and 2:1 are widely used, however, quantitative research exploring differences in student competencies between these two models is scarce. The objective of this study was to determine if development of student competencies differ between 2:1 and 1:1 fieldwork models during an occupational therapy educational program. A retrospective study using two years of occupational therapy students’ competency ratings by fieldwork supervisors ( N = 95 students; N = 355 fieldwork events) was performed. The Competency Based Fieldwork Evaluation for Occupational Therapists tool was used to assess student competencies at each fieldwork rotation ( n = 5 placements). Independent samples t -tests were used to compare students’ scores during 1:1 and 2:1 placements. No significant differences were noted in student competencies following participation in 2:1 and 1:1 placements. It was concluded that students are equally well prepared for practice if they have 1:1 or 2:1 fieldwork experiences.