Document Type (Journals)
Original Research
Abstract
Occupational therapy students often experience confidence gaps as they transition from academic preparation to real-world practice settings. This quasi-experimental study investigated whether the integration of immersive virtual reality (VR) simulations into the didactic portion of an Occupational Therapy Doctoral (OTD) program affected student confidence and subsequent Level II fieldwork performance. Data from 65 students across three cohorts were analyzed using the Student Confidence Questionnaire (SCQ) and the Fieldwork Performance Evaluation (FWPE). While no significant differences were observed in total confidence or fieldwork scores, students who completed VR simulations reported significantly higher confidence in five subdomains: adaptability, risk-taking, supervision, clinical practice, and professional competence. These findings align with prior studies across health professions, indicating that VR enhances psychological readiness and professional behaviors. A moderate correlation was also found between self-reported confidence and midterm fieldwork performance. These results suggest that immersive VR may be a valuable tool in occupational therapy education to foster essential professional competencies.
Biography
Dr. Kayla Collins, EdD, MOT, OTR is Program Director and Clinical Associate Professor for Baylor’s Entry-Level OTD program. An expert in hybrid education and older adult care, she researches online engagement, educational technology, and older adult wellness. She is active in professional leadership, faculty development, and telehealth occupational therapy practice.
Dr. Kirsten Davin, OTD, OTR, ATP, SMS is Clinical Associate Professor and Academic Fieldwork Coordinator for Baylor’s OTD program. With over 20 years of clinical experience, she specializes in assistive technology, hybrid education, and simulation. She holds advanced certifications from RESNA and researches telepresence, simulation, and student transition to clinical practice.
Dr. Marian Gillard, PhD, OTR, FAOTA is Chair of Occupational Therapy at Baylor University and the founding director of its OTD programs. An AOTA Fellow, she brings expertise in adult learning, rehabilitation, and clinical reasoning. She is widely published and recognized for excellence in teaching, leadership, and advancing occupational therapy education and practice.
Declaration of Interest
The authors report no declarations of interest.
Recommended Citation
Collins, K., Davin, K., & Gillard, M. (2026). Virtual Reality’s Impact on Occupational Therapy Student Confidence and Fieldwork Performance. Journal of Occupational Therapy Education, 10 (1). Retrieved from https://encompass.eku.edu/jote/vol10/iss1/10
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.