Clinical Education III

Teaching and learning methodologies are adopted that promote the articulation between theory and practice, in line with the studentcentered pedagogical model and oriented towards the development of professional skills in the area of Occupational Therapy. Pedagogical active learning strategies such as supervised practice and observation in the context of occupational therapy intervention are designed to encourage autonomy, critical reflection and the practical application of acquired knowledge. Tutorial guidance is intended to ensure the development of skills to solve increasingly complex problems throughout the academic career. These methodologies aim to develop problem-solving skills through logical thinking and critical analysis, demonstrating the ability to produce assertive conclusions and sustained decisions.
The contents of this course focus on cross-cutting constructs that support occupational therapy at both an individual and group level. The aim is to build the capacity for occupation-based professional reasoning and to develop self-knowledge. The internship sites will be selected according to the opportunities for applying the occupational therapy process at an individual and group level, according to the choices made by the students whenever possible. In this context, two case studies will be carried out as in the previous internship, but in a different area of activity from the previous one, and at the same time an intervention program will be designed for a short-term group and monitored. The Clinical Education curricular units are organized by level of complexity, according to the application of the occupational therapy process in different contexts. Thus, at the end of the course, students are expected to carry out internships in three different areas: an intervention with children/adolescents, another with adults or older adults, focused mainly on physical health conditions, and a third in the area of mental health. These paths will be outlined together with the students before the start of Clinical Education II, and the allocation of placements will be determined on the basis of their interests throughout Clinical Education II, III and IV and according to the availability of placements.

Based on the World Federation of Occupational Therapists’ proposal, the learning outcomes at the end of the course are that students should be able to demonstrate: 
Mastery of knowledge in occupational therapy (OT) and occupational science and its application in practice with regard to carrying out the assessment, intervention plan and analysis of results in two case studies and a group intervention plan .
Mastery of the reasoning and professional process in OT, revealing an aptitude for teamwork and collaboration in responding to the occupational needs of individuals and groups.
Capacity for critical reflection and research into OT practice in response to the occupational needs of individuals and groups. Ethical and professional attitude and self-knowledge, revealing an aptitude for lifelong professional development in meeting the occupational needs of individuals and groups.
Communication and oral presentation skills and quality of clinical records and intervention plan report.
Continuous assessment
This course unit is assessed solely on a continuous assessment basis and cannot be taken during the resit period. Students who do not pass under this system will have to re-enrol in the course unit in the following academic year.
To pass the course unit, students must obtain a grade of over 9.5 in the various components.

Understand human beings as occupational beings, analyse and evaluate the interrelationships between the person, their occupations, environmental and contextual factors and their influence on participation; on intersectionality, processes of social inclusion and exclusion, areas of intervention.
Understand and know how to outline the occupational therapy process in individual and group intervention; Know and know how to apply professional models in a collaborative and ethical manner;
Know how to record information, critically interpret, report and apply relevant evidence in the preparation of a case study.
Demonstrate competences and skills to relate (ethics, integrity) and communicate effectively in the internship context.
Demonstrating flexibility, adaptability, openness and availability for continuous learning.
Complying with regulatory standards in a reflective and collaborative manner.
Respect and understanding in professional and non-professional interactions.

Occupational therapy process in different areas (children, adulthood and advanced physical conditions in adulthood and advanced mental health) continued individual planning
Targeted intervention for groups:
Evaluation, benefits and challenges
Types of groups: therapeutic, rehabilitative, occupation-based, psychosocial and support.
Role of occupational therapy in group intervention
Group intervention planning: identifying needs, defining objectives, session structure and identifying and monitoring results.

SIM