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Adapting To A Challenging Fieldwork: Understanding The Ingredients, Emily Raphael-Greenfield, Ivettedari Miranda-Capella, Myra Branch

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Two occupational therapy students were assigned to an inpatient psychiatric unit for their first Level 1 fieldwork. With limited on-site supervision provided, they looked to each other for peer support and collaboration in assisting one patient with severe depression who was considered the “sickest patient on the unit.” The students were able to work together and make a positive intervention with this patient despite their novice status. Understanding what each of them brought personally to this experience as well as the nature of their working relationship and their use of concepts taught in the classroom has important implications for occupational …