Abstract
This study compares OT and OTA student perceptions of virtual and in-person role delineation workshops. Findings show improved collaboration and role understanding in both formats, providing insights to enhance intraprofessional education.
Primary Author and Speaker: Julie Jacob
Additional Authors and Speakers: Donna Case, Marra Robert, Jillian Woodworth
Contributing Authors: Kimberly Simpson
Effective collaboration between occupational therapists (OT) and occupational therapy assistants (OTA) is essential for quality client care (AOTA, 2014). This study aims to compare OT and OTA student perceptions of role delineation and collaboration through workshops delivered in virtual and in-person formats. Intraprofessional education (IPE), which trains professionals in the same field to collaborate, is critical but underexplored in OT/OTA education (Jung et al., 2010). Limited research exists on how educational delivery methods impact role comprehension and teamwork skills. This study addresses this gap by evaluating the effectiveness of virtual vs. in-person workshops in promoting understanding of role delineation and intraprofessional collaboration. A quasi-experimental mixed methods design was employed. Participants included second-year OT and OTA students recruited from a regional university and a community college. The SPICE-R2 instrument, a validated tool for evaluating educational outcomes, was used to assess students’ attitudes toward teamwork and role comprehension (Dominguez et al., 2015). Pre- and post-workshop surveys were administered, and qualitative data were gathered from open-ended responses. Quantitative data were analyzed using Pearson’s goodness of fit test and Fisher’s exact test, while qualitative data were thematically coded by consensus. The results demonstrated statistically significant improvements in students’ perceptions of role delineation and collaboration in both formats, with the in-person workshop yielding deeper engagement. These findings highlight the need to integrate diverse delivery methods in OT and OTA curricula to prepare students for effective teamwork.
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