Enhancing Graduate Student Confidence Levels Through a Pro Bono Clinic
Glynnis Jones, Moravian University
Keywords:
Pro Bono Clinic, Experiential Learning, Confidence Levels
Key Statement:
A Pediatric Pro Bono Clinic in graduate occupational therapy student coursework is beneficial to building confidence levels in clinical skills and working with families.
Abstract:
It is essential that graduate level occupational therapy (OT) students build their confidence in clinical skills and in working with families. A six-week pediatric pro bono clinic in student coursework provided a unique, experiential learning opportunity for students to interact with real pediatric clients and their families while offering essential services to underserved communities. OT students demonstrated a significant increase in their confidence levels from pre to post pro bono clinic. This experience allowed them to strengthen their clinical skills, improve communication with patients and families, and enhance their ability to problem-solve in real-world scenarios.
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References:
Anderson, S. H. (2022). Cultivating cultural humility in occupational therapy through experiential strategies and modeling. Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 10(4), 1–7.
Gilles, J., Bishop, M., McGehee, W., Lulofs-MacPherson, K., & Dunleavy, K. (2019). Impact on clinical performance of required participation in a student-run pro bono clinic. Journal of Physical Therapy Education, 33(3), 209–214.
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Sandvig, J., Hanson, D., & Kitzenberg, P. (2023). The impact of experiential learning in a pro bono OT clinic on clinical reasoning development. Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences & Practice, 21(4), 1–9.