Fieldwork as a mirror: How self-reflection deepens learning and empathy
Changing my routine was tough. Starting something I’ve never done and can’t prepare enough for, even to be at least sort of perfect at immediately, is tough. I’m transitioning from a career in business to occupational therapy. It has required me to be brave, and it’s exhausting, even more so as I transitioned from the didactic portion of my program to fieldwork.
Fieldwork can feel both exciting and scary. I’m in my first Level II fieldwork rotation and discovering the importance of self-reflection. The first lesson I’ve learned is that sometimes what we teach our clients can also help us. I’m in a pediatric outpatient setting, and while observing a certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA) reading a flexible thinking book with a client, I realized the client wasn’t the only one who could benefit from this mindset. A Little Flexible Thinking SPOT is a colorfully illustrated story that shows children how to solve problems, look at things differently, and make it easier to adapt to change. If you are working in pediatric OT, I highly recommend you check this series out, as it covers many beneficial emotional regulation topics. We tell the kids at the clinic that they can be brave and do hard things. It reminded me that I can, too, as a student in a brand-new role.
Another lesson I’ve learned is that progress, not perfection, is the goal. As Ed Latimore, who is a best-selling author, former professional heavyweight boxer, and competitive chess player, said, “If you aren’t willing to look like a foolish beginner, you’ll never become a graceful master.” Recently, under supervision of course, I got to treat my first occupational therapy patient. It was a little sooner than planned according to the fieldwork schedule, but an opportunity presented itself. As a planner and naturally anxious person, this threw me at first until I stood in front of a literal mirror and told myself I have the tools I need and everything would be okay. I survived, and more importantly, the patient made progress toward their goals. I’m grateful that the fieldwork educator recognized the opportunity to help me knock out that first session and get past that initial difficulty because we know when we do that, we gain a sense of accomplishment, increased confidence, and renewed energy.
A third lesson I’ve learned is that we can draw on personal experiences to understand clients. While my educator was working on palmar grasp with a client, I recognized that my own grasp also isn’t perfect. Another time, we were working with a client who had similar challenges to one of my younger sisters. Both reflections have deepened my empathy for myself and for my patients and their caregivers. When we embed empathy into our practice, the experience is more authentic, and our intended outcomes can move more seamlessly from surviving to thriving.
One of my favorite parts of fieldwork so far has been reflecting on what I have learned from listening. My fieldwork educator has a completely different personality and approach from what tends to come most naturally for me, and I realized I was lucky to get the chance to see occupational therapy from her approach. I also got the chance to chat with a COTA alum from my same program, which reassured me about our shared student journey. My fieldwork educator also provided me with the opportunity to observe physical therapy, speech therapy, and other occupational therapy team members, helping me to understand the value of interdisciplinary teamwork. The phrase interdisciplinary teamwork can sound intimidating, and I was able to see that it can be as simple as using a patient’s augmentative and alternative communication device during a session to reinforce what they are learning in speech therapy; or the physical therapist addressing W-sitting they observe in their sessions and sharing that insight when they hand a patient off for their occupational therapy session.
Here are some ideas to consider as you go through your fieldwork experience:
- Keep a Reflection Journal—jot down a parallel or personal insight each day. In my daily planner, I added a section for reflections, and it was an easy way to quickly incorporate this mindfulness task throughout my day and make sure I wouldn’t forget them amid the busy schedule.
- Talk It Out—process your experience with educators, mentors, or peers. During my fieldwork, I was able to both gather diverse perspectives and feel heard by intentionally connecting with my cohort peers and my mentors.
- Celebrate Imperfection—acknowledge your own growth areas and progress without judgment. As I shared above, this practice was a challenging one for me, and when I had these moments, my confidence increased, and I was proud of the grace I gave myself.
- Stay Open to Connection—clients and coworkers may teach you as much as your school instructors. Vulnerability and humility can be the best way to find joy as you learn.
Fieldwork can be tough, and a stellar opportunity to grow. It’s the perfect place to start building a career full of authentic connections, empathy, and flexibility. I encourage my fellow colleagues to look in the mirror and embrace reflection as part of their fieldwork journey.
Reference
Latimore, E. ([@EdLatimore]). (2018, November 2). If you aren't willing to look like a foolish beginner, you'll never become a graceful master. [Tweet]. Twitter. https://x.com/EdLatimore/status/1058305553020141570
Alicia Fawcett holds a Master’s of Communication degree from UT San Antonio, and is working on her certified occupational therapy assistant degree from St. Catherine University, with an expected graduation date of December 2025. Her interest in occupational therapy began when she saw the impact it made on the life of one of her younger sisters. Alicia is dedicated to using her personal experience and prior business career experience to support both her clients and her peers in thriving.