The Influence of Level I International Fieldwork Experiences on Subsequent Level II Fieldwork Performance

Document Type (Journals)

Original Research

Abstract

This retrospective cohort study examined whether participation in a Level I international fieldwork placement was associated with differences in student performance during subsequent Level II fieldwork, as measured by the American Occupational Therapy Association’s Fieldwork Performance Evaluation (FWPE). A total of 136 entry-level occupational therapy doctoral students from a single U.S. university were included, with 46 students completing at least one international fieldwork placement in Costa Rica or Tanzania and 90 completing only domestic placements for Level I fieldwork. All students completed three Level I fieldwork experiences, with international placements representing one component of this sequence when applicable. Independent samples t-tests revealed no statistically significant differences in total FWPE scores between the groups, indicating comparable demonstration of occupational therapy professional skills and behaviors on Level II fieldwork. A small statistical significance emerged in the Fundamentals of Practice domain (t(136) = 2.157, p = .033), with domestic-only fieldwork students scoring slightly higher than international fieldwork students. These findings indicate that Level I international fieldwork placements, when paired with other domestic Level I fieldwork experiences, provide students with appropriate preparation for Level II fieldwork while achieving equivalent performance outcomes. These results support the integration of short-term, co-created international fieldwork experiences into occupational therapy curricula.

Biography

Dr. Brittany Saviers, PhD, OTR/L is an Assistant Professor and Academic Fieldwork Coordinator at the University of Central Arkansas. Her teaching and scholarship focus includes pediatrics, fieldwork education, and global learning. She leads international occupational therapy programs in Costa Rica and Tanzania and conducts research on innovative and culturally responsive educational models.

Dr. Deborah Gangluff, ScD, OTR/L is an Assistant Professor in the Occupational Therapy Department at the University of Central Arkansas. She is currently semi-retired, teaching research courses to occupational therapy students as well as leading the Costa Rica study abroad program.

Declaration of Interest

The authors report no declarations of interest.

Recommended Citation

Saviers, B. N., & Gangluff, D. (2026). The Influence of Level I International Fieldwork Experiences on Subsequent Level II Fieldwork Performance. Journal of Occupational Therapy Education, 10 (2). Retrieved from https://encompass.eku.edu/jote/vol10/iss2/13