What does the Evidence say about Student, Fieldwork Educator, and New Occupational Therapy Practitioner Perceptions of Successful Level II Fieldwork and Transition to Practice? A Scoping Review

This study explored occupational therapy (OT) student, fieldwork educator, and new practitioner perceptions of successful Level II fieldwork experiences and how those experiences related to transitioning into practice. A scoping review was conducted where articles related to OT fieldwork experiences were analyzed using key terms and databases. A total of 14 articles related to OT fieldwork experiences and transitions into practice were critically analyzed. Three studies explored student perceptions of fieldwork experiences and perceived self-efficacy, two studies investigated student perspectives of fieldwork educators, four studies explored transition to practice of recently graduated OT students, two studies investigated student perceptions of preparedness for practice, and three studies explored recently graduated OTs’ perceptions regarding professional confidence, ethical tensions encountered in practice, and near-misses and mistakes in the workplace. Eight articles were determined to be level IV evidence, and six articles were determined to be qualitative studies. Most of the studies found that confidence, professionalism, and setting/environment were important factors to a successful fieldwork experience or transition into practice. Recommendations for further research and more rigorous studies include investigating OT students’ perspectives on what a successful second Level II fieldwork is and how that relates to transitioning into practice. This review reflects the limited research about students’, fieldwork educators’, and new occupational therapists\u27 perceptions of Level II fieldwork and transition to practice