PROMOTING STUDENT PROFESSIONALISM: AN INTEGRATED PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOUR SELF-ASSESSMENT

Background: Professional behaviour is as essential to an occupational therapist’s success as clinical competence (Glennon & Van Oss, 2010). Therefore, it is critical for academic programs to include opportunities for... [ view full abstract ]

Background:
Professional behaviour is as essential to an occupational therapist’s success as clinical competence (Glennon & Van Oss, 2010). Therefore, it is critical for academic programs to include opportunities for students to understand professionalism, evaluate and receive feedback on their behaviour, and to have structured learning opportunities to cultivate professional behaviours.
Educational Philosophy or theory:
Students engage with faculty and clinical mentors in a transformative learning process to critically assess their professional behaviours, reflect on strategies to improve, and evaluate their progress and outcomes over time.
Pedagogy / educational approach(es) used:
The Professional Behavior Self-Assessment (PBSA) was developed by faculty to support the socialization process of becoming an occupational therapist. The tool and associated processes are heavily integrated into the 23-month curriculum, with deliberate ties to courses, fieldwork experiences, and student advising. PBSA use affords multiple opportunities for student self-refection, goal setting, and feedback from faculty.
Evaluation:
Multiple sources of data provide support for this assessment and process. The results of a program evaluation, which students complete upon graduation, indicate that students feel well prepared in the area of professional behaviours. This finding is further supported by fieldwork evaluations which indicate very high ratings on professional behaviour items.
Application to Education and /or practice:
The use of a professional behaviour self-assessment tool and integrated process can assist occupational therapy education programs in guiding students in the development of professional behaviours.

References
Glennon, T. J. & Van Oss, T. (2010) ‘Identifying and promoting professional behavior’, OT Practice, 27 September, pp. 13-15.