The first year experience of occupational therapy students at an Australian regional university: Promoting student retention and developing a regional and remote workforce.

OBJECTIVE: Student retention at regional universities is important in addressing regional and remote workforce shortages. Students attending regional universities are more likely to work in regional areas. First year experience at university plays a key role in student retention. This study aimed to explore factors influencing the first year experience of occupational therapy students at a regional Australian university. DESIGN: Surveys were administered to 58 second year occupational therapy students in the first week of second year. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, inferential statistics (Pearson χ2 ; Spearman rho) and summarising descriptive responses. SETTING: An Australian regional university. PARTICIPANTS: Second year undergraduate occupational therapy students. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Factors influencing students' decisions to study and continue studying occupational therapy; factors enhancing first year experience of university. RESULTS: Fifty-four students completed the survey (93.1%). A quarter (25.9%) of students considered leaving the course during the first year. The primary influence for continuing was the teaching and learning experience. Most valued supports were orientation week (36.7%) and the first year coordinator (36.7%). CONCLUSION: The importance of the first year experience in retaining occupational therapy students is highlighted. Engagement with other students and staff and academic support are important factors in facilitating student retention. It is important to understand the unique factors influencing students' decisions, particularly those from regional and remote areas, to enter and continue in tertiary education to assist in implementing supports and strategies to improve student retention.

The functional impact of a traumatic hand injury on people who live in rural and remote locations.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to gain an understanding of the functional impact of a traumatic hand injury on a rural and remote Australian population. METHOD: A retrospective, exploratory design was used. Patients who had experienced a traumatic hand injury were samples and were treated at the occupational therapy department at a major regional Australian hospital between January 2003 and February 2007 (n = 198). A mail-out survey was utilized, with 65 respondents included in the study. Questions focused on the impact on specific areas of occupational performance and on compliance to home exercises. The upper extremity functional index was also incorporated in the survey. RESULTS: The results revealed that almost 90% of survey respondents had residual difficulties as a result of the traumatic hand injury. The overall impact these difficulties have on 'day-to-day' life was moderate to extreme for over half of the respondents. In the areas of occupational performance, the most affected were work and leisure with less impact reported in self-care and rest. Comments were at times contrary with closed question data, with many respondents expressing relative satisfaction with their outcome despite highlighting the functional difficulties. CONCLUSION: A significant impact on occupational performance has been highlighted, which reflects common issues within this rural and remote population. Confirmation of the extent of these identified issues within the larger rural and remote Australian population will contribute to the formulation of policy and consequent improvements in health for this traditionally underserved population.