Course 1 - Managing Practice, Responsibility and Professional Development

This course provides students with a picture of occupational therapy practice in Canada including the settings and practice areas in which therapists currently work. Further, it allows students to explore professional and regulatory issues related to the structure and function of health care systems and organizations as well as evolving practice settings and roles of occupational therapists. Students wil gain knowledge about inter-professional practice, issues of cultural sensitivity and ethical decision-making as an understanding of these concepts are important for practice in Canada.

Assessment:  Students will be asked to generate a personalized learning plan.  Approximately three months later, students will follow up with a review of their learning plans, including modifications, evidence of objective achievement and a reflection of future learning issues.

Course 2 - Communication, Collaboration and Practice Knowledge

Course 2 provides students with the opportunity to study and discuss theories, models and concepts central to occupational therapy practice in Canada.  Specifically, students will explore communication with clients in terms of client-centred practice as well as communication with self through reflective practice. There will be particular emphasis on certain models of practice including CMOP, CMOP-E, OPPM, and PEO which illustrate the values and philosophy of the profession.  Students will come to understand how these models and concepts are integrated into clinical reasoning and documentation.

Evaluation:  Students will submit a personal reflection on their previous OT experience and how they expect their practice will change in the Canadian context.

Course 3 - Understanding Evidence and Using It in Practice

This course allows students to build knowledge and skills in evidence-based occupational therapy practice. The course will begin by examining what is meant by “evidence” and its relevance to practice in terms of assessment and treatment. Students will discuss how to find evidence and how to evaluate the evidence. The process of clinical decision-making regarding when and how evidence influences practice will be explored. Students will discuss and apply their learning through a variety of exercises.

Evaluation:  At the conclusion of the course, students will present a clinical dilemma to the class, 20 minutes in length, sharing research findings and rationale using the principles and skills learned in the course.

Course 4 - Clinical Reasoning and Critical Thinking in a Practice Process

This course provides students with opportunities to integrate new and existing knowledge of person, environment and occupation through the exploration of four broad problem scenarios in a small group setting. The problem scenarios have been developed from clinical situations and experiences. The clients in these scenarios represent various life stages, cultural backgrounds and lifestyles and are experiencing a variety of impairments and disabilities. Areas of foci in the course include the theoretical underpinnings of practice, spirituality and development, determinants of occupation, occupational therapy practice settings and evidence-based practice.

Evaluation:  Clinical Reasoning Exam (1.5 hours)

Course 5 - Supervised Practice

Academic Integrity

Academic dishonesty consists of misrepresentation by deception or other means, intended or not, and can result in serious consequences.  This learning package is intended to assist you in taking personal responsibility to understand what constitutes academic dishonesty and plagiarism.  It will also touch on copyright policy and how to properly cite articles and other reference material.