Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42550006›Full record

ArticleAustralian occupational therapy journal2026

Experiences and perceptions of occupational therapy and physiotherapy practice education in research settings.

Amy Lonergan, Miia Rahja, Tamina Levy, Kate Laver

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Australian occupational therapy journal, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Amy LonerganCollege of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0005-9811-9214
Miia RahjaCollege of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0845-5459
Tamina LevyCollege of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Kate LaverCollege of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0259-2209

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionPractice education is an essential component of occupational therapy programmes in Australia, providing supervised opportunities for students to develop skills across diverse practice settings. Rising student enrolments have intensified pressure on universities to secure sufficient practice education opportunities, prompting exploration of alternative models and emerging settings. The research setting, with supervision provided by occupational therapists working in research roles, presents a promising but under-utilised option for practice education.

objectiveThis study aimed to explore the perspectives and experiences of occupational therapy and physiotherapy students, practitioners, and university educators on placements in a research setting.

methodsSemi-structured interviews (n = 30) were conducted with occupational therapy and physiotherapy students, practitioners with experience working in research-specific roles, and university educators. The Theoretical Domains Framework guided the development of the interview schedules. Participants were recruited using purposeful and snowball sampling. Data were analysed thematically. CONSUMER AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: The interview schedule was developed in consultation with research practitioners and university educators.

findingsPractice education is occurring within research settings, though it is not yet common, with generally positive perceptions reported among those involved. Participants viewed these placements as an opportunity to strengthen research confidence, develop research readiness, and generate interest, alongside meeting core placement competencies. For some participants, practice education in a research setting was a new concept. University educators questioned whether all research settings could satisfy accreditation requirements. Seven themes were identified: research confidence, professional responsibility, sparking interest, missed opportunity, accreditation requirements, fear of missing out on client contact, and risks to the research quality.

conclusionUtilisation of the research setting for practice education may strengthen students' understanding of how evidence is generated and translated into practice, helping to address persistent concerns about low research confidence and engagement. Effective implementation will require collaboratively developed models that reflect the needs of all stakeholders. Ongoing trial and evaluation are essential to determine feasibility, educational value, and impact.

Indexed as

Attitude of Health PersonnelOccupational TherapyPhysical Therapy SpecialtyAcademiaAdultAustraliaFemaleHumansInterviews as TopicMaleQualitative ResearchUniversitieshealth occupationsoccupational therapypractice educationqualitative researchresearch placements

Identifiers

PMID42550006
PMCPMC13435823

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.