Affiliations: School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The
University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Note: [] Corresponding author: Kerry Adam, School of Health and
Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Sir Fred Schonell Drive,
St Lucia QLD 4072, Australia. Tel.: +61 412 195 715; Fax: +61 7 3217 5713;
E-mail: k.adam@uq.edu.au
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Early graduate occupational therapists (OTs) and
physiotherapists (PTs) are routinely employed in work injury management and
prevention in Australia. However, our understanding is limited about employer
requirements for early graduates entering the field, and how commencing
practitioners manage transition to practice. In addition, employers have
expressed concerns anecdotally about the preparedness of early graduates for
work injury management and prevention. However, evidence is limited about early
gradutate preparedness for the field. OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to develop a detailed qualitative
account of the perceptions of employers and early graduates on the attributes
required of early graduates in work injury management and prevention, and
processes for effective transition to practice in this field. METHOD: A purposive sample of 12 employers and 12 early graduates in
work injury management and prevention participated in semi-structured
interviews. Questions to employers focused on recruitment, supervision and
readiness for practice. Questions to early graduates focused on challenges in
transition and effective learning methods. Transcripts were analysed by
Leximancer™ and supported by manual coding and synthesis. RESULTS: Four themes with findings were, 1) 'Job and workplace
requirements'; skills required by employers and support needed for early
graduates, 2) 'Learning for work injury management and prevention'; options for
early graduate development and learning methods early graduates found
effective, 3) 'Employer expectations of early graduates in transition to work
injury management and prevention', responses to transition; and 4) 'Early
graduate perceptions on transition to work injury management and prevention';
early graduates responses to transition. CONCLUSION: Findings for employers and early graduates were similar
to those expected in other areas of practice for OTs and PTs. Work injury
management and prevention skills were not expected of early graduates by
employers. Employers and early graduates shared similar views that clinical
education in work injury management and prevention was useful to early
graduates entering this field. Physiotherapy employers considered PT early
graduates not yet ready for work injury management and prevention.
Keywords: Work injury management and prevention, early graduates, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, occupational health
