Completing the Fieldwork Evaluations
Evaluation for the Introductory Fieldwork Experience
The evaluation for Introduction to Fieldwork has been adapted specifically for this placement based on the OT-FAC and the learning objectives for this introductory experience. For the purposes of this placement, only certain components of key competencies will be evaluated. This specialized evaluation form will be provided to the students and fieldwork site coordinators by the course instructor. Students are not required to develop their own learning objectives within this evaluation.
Evaluation for Fieldwork 1, 2, 3, and 4
As part of the fieldwork orientation, the preceptor and student(s) should discuss the evaluation forms and timeframes and processes for completion. At both midterm and final, students must complete a self-evaluation, providing comments and examples of how they think they have demonstrated the expected behaviours under each competency domain. Students do not include scores during this process. Students submit their self-evaluation by the agreed upon date to their preceptor, who reviews it and provides any additional comments and a score for each competency domain.
At midterm, the completed OT-FAC outlining the student’s performance thus far and progression on the specific learning objectives that have been identified within the competencies are reviewed.
All of the OT-FAC competency domains must be scored by the preceptor by choosing one of four levels (1. Problematic; 2. Partially Meets Expectations; 3. Meets Expectations) on the rating scale for each competency domain.
The preceptor(s) and student(s) meet to discuss the OT-FAC, the learning objectives form, and the Student Report on Fieldwork Placement (please see the following section) at both midterm and final. The reports are discussed, and the student and preceptor(s) complete their respective acknowledgement. The OT-FAC comment section is highly valued by both students and faculty. It is important that all comments be specific and objective and clearly describe the student’s performance, however, it is meant to follow a "charting by exception" format. That is, the listed examples of fieldwork indicators do not need to be written in the comments.
The student’s performance should be considered satisfactory at midterm if the student is performing at either Partially Meets Expectations, Meets Expectations, or Exceeds Expectations and the student is reasonably on their way to meeting the course learning objectives and their personal learning objectives. If, however, the student has been experiencing significant difficulty during the first half of the placement and has not achieved the required level of competency for the stage of development for that placement, performance should be rated as Problematic.
When the student’s performance has been rated as Problematic at midterm, the fieldwork instructor must be promptly informed (if this has not already occurred). The fieldwork instructor will meet with the preceptor and student to discuss strategies to help the student improve their performance. Please see Procedures for Unsatisfactory Fieldwork Performance for a full explanation of the process required when a student’s fieldwork performance does not meet required standards.
At the end of the placement (final evaluation), the evaluation process is repeated. At this time, students are expected to receive a rating of 3, "Meets Expectations," or 4, "Exceeds Expectations," in all six competency domains, with supporting comments that align with the assigned ratings.
Ratings below the expected level (that is, scores of 1 or 2 at the final), concerns related to safety, ethics, professionalism, or competence, and inconsistencies between ratings and supporting comments will result in the need for instructor participation in the final evaluation discussion meeting. Instructors will engage in further discussion and review with all relevant participants (student, preceptor(s), site education leaders/coordinators), in accordance with the program’s established fieldwork assessment, remediation, and grading processes. The fieldwork preceptor provides an assessment and recommendation regarding the student’s performance (that is, Pass; Fail; Incomplete); however, the academic program retains responsibility for determining the final course grade of Credit (CR) or No Credit (NCR) for the transcript, with implications for course progression if CR is not assigned.
If the student’s performance is rated as a failure, students and preceptors should refer to ‘Policy on Unsatisfactory Performance’ and ‘Procedures for Unsatisfactory Performance’ in this manual and to the “Policies and Regulations” section of the MScOT Graduate Student Handbook.
Students should keep copies of all fieldwork evaluations for their records. Facilities must obtain the student’s consent in order to maintain a copy of the OT-FAC, as it is part of the student’s academic record.