The importance of further education in OT - stories about The OT-EuroMaster program

Background: The OT Euro-Master was developed in the mid-1990s and was the first discipline specific, post-qualification master program in Europe. In total it has over 170 graduates. The program aims to deliver graduates who... [ view full abstract ]

Background:
The OT Euro-Master was developed in the mid-1990s and was the first discipline specific, post-qualification master program in Europe. In total it has over 170 graduates.
The program aims to deliver graduates who are ready for leading roles in health and social care, able to contribute to evidence-based practice, research and peer-development of colleagues.

Educational Philosophy and theory:
A strength of the OT Euro-Master is its vibrant learning community with multi-national and multi-lingual faculty and students who possess a wealth of experiences in education, research and practice. The program’s emphasis on culture and diversity enables occupational therapists to operate in a changing international society.

Educational approach(es):
The program is guided by constructive alignment through six modules. The PBL (Problem-Based Learning) pedagogical base seeks to expand students’ local and national experiences into an international arena.

Evaluation:
A survey in 2014 of graduates from five cohorts (2007-2012) representing 12 different countries showed a career step after graduation. Almost two thirds worked in a clinical setting and a third in an educational setting when they started the OT-Euro Master. After graduation most practitioners moved into education, research and management or a combination.

Application to Education and /or practice:
Through QR codes the poster will provide the audience access to four individual stories about meanings and implications for their professional lives from attending the OT Euro-Master program: two told by current students and two by graduates.

References

http://www.ot-euromaster.eu/