RURAL OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PRACTICE: A SURVEY OF RURAL PRACTICE AND CLINICAL SUPERVISION IN RURAL QUEENSLAND AND NORTHERN NEW SOUTH WALES

Abstract

ABSTRACT: A survey of rural occupational therapists in Queensland and northern New South Wales was undertaken to obtain descriptive information on rural practice and attitudes to encourage student fieldwork experience in rural settings. Thirty eight occupational therapists working in rural practice responded to a questionnaire survey. A quarter of these were originally from a rural upbringing. Forty two per cent of these occupational therapists had experience of clinical supervision and 87% of the survey sample indicated that a rural student placement would encourage students to consider rural practice after graduation. A majority of respondents (84%) indicated a need for more occupational therapy services in their rural community. The willingness of respondents to offer student placements was related to the belief that more occupational therapy services were needed in the area. A rural upbringing and returning to the country to work were issues related to the belief that encouraging students to experience rural fieldwork would attract more occupational therapists to rural practice.