Student Outcomes

The Student Outcomes of the Program in Occupational Therapy are guided by the Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics, Core Values and Attitudes of Occupational Therapy Practice, and the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework. The outcomes are described in five broad areas, found below, including professional identity, cultural competence, communication, leadership and disciplinary excellence.

 1.      Professional Identity in Occupational Therapy Practice

Graduates will demonstrate the values, attitudes and behaviors of entry-level occupational therapy professionals in their relationships with clients and colleagues. Their ability to foster intentional relationships, necessary for the effective client-centered approach, involves both self-awareness and awareness of the uniqueness of every individual.

 Graduates will:

• Integrate the behaviors, values and ethics of an entry level occupational therapist into their classroom and experiential activities.
• Demonstrate the ability to develop intentional relationships with clients.
• Work effectively with supervisors, employers and other professionals.
• Balance physical, social, emotional and spiritual aspects of self and clients.

 2.      Cultural Competence in Occupational Therapy Practice

Cultural competence means having the self-awareness, knowledge, skills and framework to make sound, ethical and culturally appropriate decisions. It is the integration and transformation of knowledge about individuals and groups of people into specific standards, policies, practices and attitudes, used in appropriate cultural settings, to increase the quality of services, thereby producing better outcomes[1]." To practice in a diverse work environment, graduates will demonstrate behaviors and attitudes that foster cultural competence.

 Graduates will:

• Articulate the process of becoming culturally proficient through the understanding and appreciation of others' beliefs, values and diverse life experiences.
• Evaluate ethnic, religious, sexual, socioeconomic, age and gender discrimination inherent in health care environments and practices.
• Create and adapt intervention strategies that effectively address cultural and social influences that impact client progress.

 3.  Communication in Occupational Therapy Practice

Graduates will be able to effectively present, discuss and defend the concepts and opinions of the profession of occupational therapy through verbal, non-verbal and written language, using a variety of methods, techniques and technology.

 Graduates will:

• Demonstrate effective verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills with healthcare professionals, clients, families, agencies, or other consumers of occupational therapy services.
• Interpret, synthesize and apply information from a wide range of sources to contribute to and inform professional practice.
• Produce clear and accurate client documentation and respect confidentiality of client information.

4.      Leadership in Occupational Therapy Practice

Graduates will be knowledgeable about basic principles of management and leadership. At interpersonal and interdisciplinary levels, graduates will integrate the profession's values and ethics as they thoughtfully promote collaboration between stakeholders. Incorporating their knowledge of the latest policy directions, graduates will be involved in professional organizations, ever mindful of being good stewards, team members and advocates of people in need.

Graduates will:

• Knowledgeably represent the domains of occupational therapy.
• Articulate ethical principles of management and leadership.
• Analyze current local, state and national trends in healthcare and anticipate future trends that may impact the practice of occupational therapy.

 5.      Disciplinary Excellence in Occupational Therapy Practice

Grounded in the theory and foundation of the profession, graduates will critically analyze, interpret and synthesize information needed to provide client-centered care. Graduates will be dedicated to improving people's lives through innovation, research, education and services in the field of occupational therapy.

 Graduates will:

• Be knowledgeable in specific content areas of the profession, including emerging practice areas.
• Apply the theoretical foundation of the profession to practice.
• Collaborate effectively with COTAs, OT aides and other disciplines in client intervention.
• Take initiative to direct one's own learning.

 

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Wells, S. A. (2005). On cultural competency and ethical practice. Retrieved from    http://www.aota.org/Practitioners/Ethics/Advisory/36525.aspx.