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Peer observation in professional development : occupational therapists perceptions

Davys, D; Mckenna, JM; Tickle, EJ

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Authors

D Davys

JM Mckenna

EJ Tickle



Abstract

Aims: peer observation of practice is used to promote reflection and facilitate personal and professional development. However, there appears to be no published research on the use of peer observation by occupational therapists working in higher education. This action research project explored the perceptions of occupational therapy staff within a higher education setting towards the use of a peer observation of practice scheme.
Methods: all colleagues within a directorate of occupational therapy were invited to complete a questionnaire. Additionally, five staff were invited to take part in semi-structured interviews and core themes were identified following thematic analysis, typified by grounded theory.
Findings: staff used a range of methods to support professional development, including peer observation. Key themes identified were the concept that peer observation has both positive and negative connotations, that feedback must be carefully managed, that the relationship between observed and observer is important and that staff want clear ground rules for peer observation schemes.
Conclusions: findings indicated the need for further research into peer observation and how such a scheme could be formally implemented.

Citation

Davys, D., Mckenna, J., & Tickle, E. (2008). Peer observation in professional development : occupational therapists perceptions. International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation, 15(6), 245-253

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Jun 1, 2008
Deposit Date May 17, 2011
Publicly Available Date Apr 5, 2016
Journal International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation
Print ISSN 1741-1645
Publisher MA Healthcare
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 15
Issue 6
Pages 245-253
Keywords Peer observation, professional/personal development, higher education, reflective practice
Related Public URLs http://www.ijtr.co.uk/cgi-bin/go.pl/library/article.cgi?uid=29443;article=IJTR_15_6_245_253
Additional Information Additional Information : Copyright of this article rests with International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation. If using for commercial purposes please contact ijtr@markallengroup.com for permission.

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