Current Phenomena in Occupational Therapy (5cr)

Objectives (course unit)

Learning outcomes: The students actively explore changes and phenomena related to occupational performance, everyday life, well-being and participation. The students deepen their knowledge in the key factors, areas of change and future of occupational therapy regarding their own interests and professional development. The students extensively examine and evaluate the effects of structural changes of the social- and healthcareservices, the dimensions of sustainable development (ecological, economic, cultural and social), the development of technology, digitalisation and artificial intelligence on occupational therapy and client processes. The students examine the effects of questions related to patient safety, data protection and safety, as well as the quality, results, effectiveness and financial aspects of client work. The students understand the importance of continuous development in occupational therapy.

Content (course unit)

Contents: - Current phenomena and changes in society and occupational therapy - Different service systems and their changes - Dimensions of sustainable development (ecological, economic, cultural and social) - Technology, digitalisation and artificial intelligence - Patient safety, data protection and data safety - Quality, results, effectiveness and financial aspects of client work

Prerequisites (course unit)

Prerequisites: Before attending the course, the students must have completed minimum of 85 ECTS.

Location and time

The material and task instructions are in Moodle. Independent work and learning. The student challenges their own professional judgement. The learning task is recommended to be completed in pairs.

Assessment methods and criteria

Opintojakson numeerinen arviointi (1-5) oppimistehtävän ja ryhmätapaamisen perusteella.

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

The course implementation is online, with all teaching contacts conducted via Zoom. The course begins with a joint orientation session, during which the content of the course is reviewed together. It is recommended that the course assignment is completed in pairs; further details will be provided during the orientation. Instructions for the assignment will be given during the course orientation and on Moodle. Completing the assignment requires students to work independently as well as to participate actively in group meetings. THE TIMETABLES FOR THE COURSE IMPLEMENTATION ARE: students choose either schedule 1 or 2. SPRING 2026 SCHEDULE 1: 28 January 2026, 14:00–15:30 orientation /schedule 1 12 February 2026, 14:30–15:30 meeting room /schedule 1 10 March 2026, 13:00–15:30 expert presentations /schedule 1 SPRING 2026 SCHEDULE 2: 23 March 2026, 14:00–15:30 orientation /schedule 2 15 April 2026, 14:30–15:30 meeting room /schedule 2 11 May 2026, 12:00–14:30 expert presentations /schedule 2

Learning materials

Students familiarise themselves with the materials provided in the MOODLE environment for the course unit. Students seek up-to-date information related to their topic. Students challenge themselves to review what they have already learnt during their degree studies and to apply their skills and knowledge judiciously to professional contexts.

Student workload

opintojakson laajuus on 5op, mikä tarkoittaa 135 tuntia opiskelijan työtä. Opintojakso edellyttää vahvaa itsenäistä oppimista ja aikataulujen hallintaa

Completion alternatives

Metropolian tutkinto-opiskelija voi valita vaihtoehtoisesti kansainvälisen intensiivitoteutuksen, FAB model 2. Intensiivijakso toteutuu kansainvälisessä yhteistyössä mm belgialaisten ja itävaltalaisten kanssa. Modul 2 on 3op laajuinen minkä lisäksi opiskelija opiskelee tämän opintojakson 2 op osasuoritus moodlen osista 1 ja 2. During this course we focus on future, emerging roles of occupational therapy. We have inspirational lectures, workshops and site visits to boost student´s new knowledge and critical thinking. In the end of this course students have ideas and knowledge about future of OT, what it could be, what kind of challenges and opportunities we meet in future. The students feel empowered to think and act outside today's "OT box", e.g. have ideas to start new projects, are empowered to try a job outside the core area of OT. Ajankohdat, jotka edellyttää läsnäoloa ma 2.2.-pe 6.2.2026 kaikki päivät kokonaan , päivät voivat sisältää myös ilta-aktiviteetteja kansainvälisten opiskelijoiden ja opettajien kanssa. Osallistujat liitetään modul 2 teamsiin viikolla 2. Mukaan mahtuu 5- 7 opiskelijaa ilmoittautumisjärjestyksessä . Ilmoittautuminen tähän vaihtoehtoon sanna.saikko@metropolia.fi

Practical training and working life cooperation

In relation to the learning assignment, cooperation with working life is recommended to concretise the topics of the course and to enable discussion and joint reflection.