Current Phenomena in Occupational Therapy (5cr)

Evaluation scale

0-5

Objective

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

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

Location and time

The course implementation takes place entirely online, via Zoom. The Zoom link can be found in Moodle. Materials and task instructions are available in Moodle. THE COURSE IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULES ARE AS FOLLOWS: Students choose either Schedule 1 or 2. Registration for the chosen schedule is done via a form in Moodle. Moodle will open no later than Monday, 26 January 2026. 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 Moodle includes independent learning. The student is challenged to use their professional judgement in selecting the approach and constructing the content for the learning task. It is recommended that the learning task is completed in pairs, as shared reflection is highly beneficial for 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.

Teaching methods

The course is an online implementation, in which all teaching contacts take place via Zoom. The course begins with a joint orientation session, during which the content of the course is reviewed together. In terms of current phenomena, this course focuses particularly on issues of sustainable development and digitalisation. The course requires active independent work as well as engagement with expert presentations. All course materials are available in Moodle for independent learning. The Moodle sections include small interim tasks to reinforce learning. It is recommended that the course assignment be completed in pairs; this will be discussed in more detail during the orientation. Instructions for the assignment will be provided in the orientation session and in Moodle. Completing the assignment requires students to exercise professional judgement in selecting the perspective and constructing the content. A scheduled meeting room is also available as part of the course, where students can engage in peer discussions and receive guidance from the teacher to support their learning. For the conclusion of the course, students will prepare and implement an expert presentation based on their assignment. The expert presentation also involves facilitating a discussion.

Employer connections

It is recommended that, in connection with the learning assignment, collaboration with working life be established in order to concretise the topics of the course and to enable discussion as well as joint reflection. The intention is that each student pair selects a working life partner with whom they can freely discuss the topics of the course, focusing the perspective of the learning assignment accordingly.

Exam schedules

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International connections

For Metropolia degree students, an alternative implementation method is an intensive week developed in international collaboration. Please see separate instructions and registration procedures.

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

Student workload

The scope of the course is 5 credits, which corresponds to 135 hours of student work. The course requires active independent learning and time management.

Qualifications

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