Experiential Learning in Occupational Therapy

Abstract

This mixed method study examined the effectiveness of experiential learning opportunities near the end of the occupational therapy students’ didactic education. A pretest/posttest design with a gain score approach was used to determine whether there was a significant improvement in the occupational therapy students’ self-perception of their ability to perform a multitude of occupational-therapy-related skills. Qualitative measures were used to explain the impact of experiential learning opportunities on the students’ ability to understand and apply occupational therapy knowledge to clinical practice. The results of this study suggest that experiential learning is an effective method to (a) enhance the understanding and application of course material, (b) improve the personal and professional attributes and skills needed to be an effective clinician, and (c) improve clinical reasoning skills. The author’s initial bias was that this experience would enhance clinical reasoning skills. Results indicated that it had a more profound impact.