Enabling Occupation- another kind of practical placement in Switzerland

In the context of a revision of the BSc Occupational Therapy course at the University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) in 2012, a new practical module (enabling occupation) was implemented in the second academic year, with the aim... [ view full abstract ]

In the context of a revision of the BSc Occupational Therapy course at the University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) in 2012, a new practical module (enabling occupation) was implemented in the second academic year, with the aim of adapting to the changes in the health system and to stress our main competence, occupation. Further we saw the need to carry occupational therapy into areas where it is not yet familiar.

These placements are totally different from the normal placements in hospitals or classical OT settings, where students in Switzerland normally do their practical work. Students have to evaluate their own ideas, plan an entire project and find a partner with whom they can carry out their project. They have to arrange everything on their own: the employer, advertising, clients, finances, etc.

This is a big challenge for the students, so they need to be prepared. We offer them an introduction in project management and further skills which are necessary to manage their placement before they start. We also offer tutoring. During the entire duration of their projects students can rely on permanent assistance from lecturers, either in groups or in individual meetings.

These project placements have taken place twice and after evaluation we can confidently say that there are many benefits. OT is being brought into areas which are unfamiliar with our profession and the students have the opportunity to develop their professional identity.

But of course there are also many challenges which still have to be managed.