New Graduate Occupational Therapists Feelings of Preparedness for Practice in Australia and Aotearoa/ New Zealand

Aim: The development of competent future allied health
professionals through academic programmes, professional
support and practical education is continually evolving.
The aim of this study was to explore the feelings of newly
graduated occupational therapists in Australia and Aotearoa/
New Zealand regarding their education and work preparedness.
Methods: Newly graduated occupational therapists from
Australia (n = 178) and Aotearoa/New Zealand (n = 53)
who had completed their occupational therapy studies in
2007 were recruited. Participants completed an online survey
which explored their preparedness for work; based on
professional competencies.
Results: Most newly graduated occupational therapists
felt somewhat prepared for practice. However, only 17.1%
of Australian new graduates, and even fewer (8.5%) of
Aotearoa/New Zealand new graduates felt very well prepared.
Participants felt more prepared for the competencies
required for ‘managing inwards’ (including interpersonal
skills) and less prepared for those required for ‘managing
outwards’ (including evidence-based practice).
Conclusions: This study provides the first international
comparison into the feelings of competence and preparedness
for practice of new graduates of occupational therapy
from Australia and Aotearoa/New Zealand. Given the
importance of competencies, such as evidence-based practice
to the progress of the profession, there is a need to further
explore methods to increase feelings of preparedness
in these areas.