ERGOPRA2 Placement - Physical Health: Treatment and Re-/Habilitation Course description

Occupational therapists help people with mental health problems in order to facilitate their participation in activities that are important in daily life and working life. The work takes place both in mental health care in the municipality and in the specialist health service, and it requires cooperation and communication with users, next of kin, colleagues and other relevant parties. Through systematic work and methodical use of activity, the occupational therapist contributes to promoting activity and participation. Occupational therapy takes an evidenced-based approach.

The course consists of practical training in the field of mental health. Topics, theories, academic issues, processes, tools and methods from previous courses, in particular the course ERGO2000, form the basis for developing new theoretical and practical knowledge relevant to the practical training establishment in question. Reflection on practical training and clinical reasoning will contribute to both personal and professional development and strengthen professional identity, insight and knowledge.

Half of the class will take the course ERGOPRA1 before ERGOPRA2, while the other half takes ERGOPRA2 before ERGOPRA1. The learning outcomes of these two courses must be seen in relation to each other, as it is of great importance whether ERGOPRA 1 is taken before or after ERGOPRA 2. Progression is expected from the first to the second practical training period, as outlined in the descriptions of learning outcomes below.

The course consists of the following subject areas from the national curriculum, specified below as the number of credits:

• Rehabilitative work (9 ECTS)
• Habilitative work (2 ECTS)
• Therapeutic work (1 ECTS)
• Ethics (1 ECTS)

• Passed the first year of the programme
• Completed first aid course, within the last three years
• If the student takes ERGOPRA1 before ERGOPRA2, they must pass ERGOPRA1 before starting on this course.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and competence:

Knowledge

The student

• is capable of describing the position of occupational therapy within the practical training establishment´s framework and organisation on different levels
• is capable of describing how organisational and structural circumstances affect occupational therapy in the practical training establishment (spring)
• has knowledge of relevant user groups, academic issues and occupational therapy methods in the practical training establishment

Skills

The student is capable of

• reflecting on the contents of the service provided in the practical training establishment
• using a client-centred approach
• communicating in a therapeutic manner with users
• using and documenting work methods in occupational therapy processes
• using methods specific to the profession and mapping tools and treatment in the practical training establishment
• using and giving grounds for the use of activity-based activity analysis
• looking up and using relevant literature to assess patients/users and issues in the practical training establishment
• looking up and conveying research articles relevant to the practical training establishment (autumn)
• looking up, conveying and critically assessing research articles relevant to the practical training establishment (spring)
• discussing theory, practice and ethics by using clinical reasoning (autumn)
• theory, practice and ethics by using clinical reasoning (spring)
• reflecting on their practice and demonstrating the ability to correct therapeutic approaches in line with supervision (autumn)
• critically assessing their practice and demonstrating the ability to correct therapeutic approaches in line with supervision and identifying their own needs in terms of professional development (spring)

Competence

The student is capable of

• identifying professional and ethical issues and dilemmas (autumn)
• identifying and reflecting on professional and ethical issues and dilemmas (spring)
• practising in accordance with professional ethical guidelines and applicable legislation
• taking responsibility and demonstrating initiative, cooperation skills and independence during practical training and for their own learning
• documenting and presenting user-related work both orally and in writing
• cooperating with other professional groups and parties

The course comprises 10 weeks of practical training. The students will carry out occupational therapy work relevant to the practical training establishment. They will complete three written assignments to be submitted to the lecturer during the practical training period. Supervision and clinical reasoning are key to reinforcing the student´s learning process and to integrate theory and practice during the practical training.

The following required coursework must be approved:

• a minimum attendance of 90% in the introduction to the course, practical training, practical training seminars and group supervision
• cooperation agreement with a development plan submitted and approved within the deadline
• three individual written assignments, up to 1,500 words per assignment. Relevant mapping and/or assessment forms must accompany the submissions. The student will be given two attempts at having the written assignments approved during the practical training period
• presentation of a digital account produced by the student (autumn)

Practical training

Assessment content:The learning outcomes

Form of assessment: Assessment of practical training, including written coursework requirements

Time: Fourth semester 

Attendance requirements for supervised placement (90%)

Pass/fail

The midway and final assessments are made by the practical training supervisor and the contact lecturer at the university. The final decision on whether to award a pass or fail grade is made by the university.