Course Descriptions

Building on the OT Practice I course, OT Practice II prepares students for advanced fieldwork placements through skill development within the stages of the Occupational Performance Process Model, including clinical reasoning, therapeutic use of self, determination of learning styles and goal setting. Students prepare for self-evaluation of professional competencies, and learn universal safely precautions for clinical and community practice contexts. OT Practice II also provides students with ethical principles and an ethical decision-making model for occupational therapists. The ethical decision-making model is applied to cases involving different cultural norms, incapacity in disability, across the life course, and in administrative and professional relationships.

Building on OT Practice I and OT Practice II, OT Practice III will examine factors in the contexts of practice that influence the content, process and outcomes of occupational therapy. Students will develop skills in strategic planning, program development and marketing of professional services, as well as in managing complex roles (including consultation and assignment of therapy components to support personnel), communications, and business practices that are necessary for autonomous professional practice.

This course addresses the contributions research makes to the discipline of occupational science and the profession of occupational therapy. Students are introduced to and provided opportunities to learn to critically appraise research methods commonly utilized in occupational science and occupational therapy. Throughout the courses, students will be encouraged to challenge and critically appraise the theoretical frameworks shaping research studies, including their designs and methods, as well as the implications of their findings in terms of (a) the strength of the evidence and (b) for clinical practice. The practical components of the courses will allow students to explore and critically appraise various components of the research process. [Note: This course replaces OCT 1121H and OCT 1122H by combining the subject matter over two terms into a single course, starting Entry 2019.]

This course will focus your knowledge and skills as a graduating occupational therapist on currently underserviced populations and future population needs for occupational therapy services. Underserviced populations include those not receiving occupational therapy services when there is a clear indication of need, and populations who currently receive occupational therapy services but at a level that does not address their needs. 

The course will apply your generic knowledge, skills, and processes for occupational therapy practice in developing strategies to provide occupational therapy services to underserviced populations, considering current legislative, policy, funding, social and cultural contexts, the evidence of effectiveness of occupational therapy practices, and public awareness of occupational therapy services. Intensive modules (“Selectives”) on specific occupational therapy practices at levels not included in previous MScOT courses will provide support for your study of and plan for how to address an underserviced population’s needs for occupational therapy services.