As I write this reflection, I am now coming to the end of my nine-week placement in Primary Care, based in Oban covering various communities across Argyll & Bute. This placement has undoubtedly been one that I will never forget and will remain with me throughout my professional career. Working in Primary Care has opened my eyes to the diverse opportunities this field of occupational therapy (OT) offers, including working with both physical and mental health. My practice educator, Connie, has provided me with multiple opportunities and experiences covering various aspects of her role, including clinical practice, shadowing her involvement in research with the Scottish Government, opportunities to shadow other professions and access to training, enabling me to further build my skill set. Additionally, my placement has highlighted the positives as well as the complexities involved in rural working. Overall, this placement has been eye-opening, and I am appreciative of the valuable experiences, insights and support provided by my practice educator, Connie.
Francesca Bellantoni – 3rd Year student at University of Queen Margaret University
I’ve had the pleasure of facilitating several Primary Care Mental Health Occupational Therapy placements here in Oban, Lorn & Isles. I am uniquely aware of the fears that arise when a student is offered a remote and rural placement in the North West of Scotland, two or threee hours away from the university campus, but it is my role to ease the worry with pre-placement information. I enjoy being able to demonstrate the differences of occupational therapy being delivered in a remote and rural area compared with an urban setting. This enables students to experience clinical practice in small GP practices on both the mainland and on our islands. Practice education is motivational and exciting as you’re in the position to support a student to connect theory to practice, underpin local and national policy as well as share learning, which compliments my lead role in the workforce development group within the Primary Care Occupational Therapy National Network.
Connie Grant McKillop - Specialist Primary Care Mental Health Occupational Therapist - NHS Highland
Positives
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Primary Care OT is unique as it encompasses both physical and mental health, providing multiple opportunities for learning and demonstrates the dual-trained, holistic aspect of OT
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short-term interventions enable learners to observe the entire OT process and a patient’s recovery journey
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remote and rural practice provides students with an insight into the complexities of rural working and service delivery, often encapsulating occupational injustices which may not be relevant to urban service provision. For example, environmental barriers including clinical space in GP practice, pool cars availability, and ferry timetables.
Challenges
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universities provide limited pre-placement education of OT in Primary Care, therefore student awareness for this clinical area may be minimal due to Primary Care occupational therapy (PCOT) being an evolving area of practice. This may result in students dismissing PCOT placements
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due to the disparity of student financial support, students may feel reluctant to accept a remote and rural placement. Some students can claim back SASS, however English, Northern Irish, and international students receive no financial support when relocating for placements. Students may find themselves in financial hardship as they put on hold or give up part-time work
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remote and rural placement accommodation can be a challenge to obtain due to tourism, housing crisis and cost, which add additional stress prior to placement
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depending on students' learning needs, PCOT may be overwhelming due to the ever-changing practice setting and extensive travel.
Future recommendations
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standardised university education for OT in Primary Care, for example guest lecturers currently working in PCOT
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financial support for all students on a rural and remote placement
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RCOT to support the Primary Care Network to create a standardised pre-placement information pack for Primary Care Occupational Therapy.