Supporting 4th Year Occupational Therapy Students in Community Placement Through Online Mentoring
Tracks
Education, including undergraduate and postgraduate course design (Knowledge Translation)
Mentoring (Knowledge Translation)
Student and clinical placement (Knowledge Translation)
| Tuesday, June 23, 2026 |
| 11:05 AM - 11:30 AM |
| Great Hall 4 |
Speaker
Amie Malcolm
OT/Advanced Therapy Mentor
Everyday Independence
Supporting 4th Year Occupational Therapy Students in Community Placement Through Online Mentoring
Presentation summary
Introduction
The transition from student to practitioner is a pivotal stage in the development of occupational therapists. Community-based placements present unique challenges and opportunities for final-year students. This presentation introduces a 10-week online mentoring program designed to support 4th year Occupational Therapy students during their community placement, with the aim of enhancing professional readiness and confidence.
Method
The program was piloted with a cohort of ten students and included weekly virtual group mentoring sessions facilitated by experienced occupational therapists. These sessions focused on therapeutic topics, case study discussions, and the provision of targeted resources. The mentoring was delivered in addition to standard clinical supervision, offering a complementary layer of support.
Outcomes
Overall, the students rated the value of the group mentoring sessions as 79%. The most valuable topic identified by the students was “Understanding the Key Worker role” scoring 82%. Key enablers identified included timely access to professional guidance, peer connection, collaborative problem-solving, and the flexibility of online delivery. Students reported increased confidence and skill development in community OT practice. Barriers included scheduling conflicts with in-person appointments, limited resources provided for further reading, and challenges aligning mentoring topics with placement progression.
Conclusion
This presentation will detail the structure and content of the mentoring program, share insights from student and mentor feedback, and explore the potential for scaling online mentoring as a sustainable support. Attendees will gain practical knowledge on how digital mentoring can bridge the gap between academic preparation and real-world practice, particularly in a community setting.
The transition from student to practitioner is a pivotal stage in the development of occupational therapists. Community-based placements present unique challenges and opportunities for final-year students. This presentation introduces a 10-week online mentoring program designed to support 4th year Occupational Therapy students during their community placement, with the aim of enhancing professional readiness and confidence.
Method
The program was piloted with a cohort of ten students and included weekly virtual group mentoring sessions facilitated by experienced occupational therapists. These sessions focused on therapeutic topics, case study discussions, and the provision of targeted resources. The mentoring was delivered in addition to standard clinical supervision, offering a complementary layer of support.
Outcomes
Overall, the students rated the value of the group mentoring sessions as 79%. The most valuable topic identified by the students was “Understanding the Key Worker role” scoring 82%. Key enablers identified included timely access to professional guidance, peer connection, collaborative problem-solving, and the flexibility of online delivery. Students reported increased confidence and skill development in community OT practice. Barriers included scheduling conflicts with in-person appointments, limited resources provided for further reading, and challenges aligning mentoring topics with placement progression.
Conclusion
This presentation will detail the structure and content of the mentoring program, share insights from student and mentor feedback, and explore the potential for scaling online mentoring as a sustainable support. Attendees will gain practical knowledge on how digital mentoring can bridge the gap between academic preparation and real-world practice, particularly in a community setting.
Biography
Amie is a Melbourne-based Occupational Therapist and Advanced Therapy Mentor at Everyday Independence. Passionate about supporting OTs and students. She has a strong clinical interest in neurology—particularly Parkinson’s and working with stroke survivors. She lives with her husband and three Young Adult Children.
