The UofA Department of OT respects and greatly appreciates the commitment and effort being demonstrated by individuals and agencies in order to provide healthcare and social services, including occupational therapy, during these unprecedented circumstances.
As a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the MScOT program is cancelling the spring fieldwork session (OCCTH 525 - May/Jun 2020) for Year 1 OT students.
Since the summer placement period is still ~3 months away and the healthcare and societal response to the pandemic is emerging daily/weekly, our department is deferring decision-making regarding the summer fieldwork session (OCCTH 527 - Jul/Aug 2020) for Year 2 OT students until the end of April.
We will continue to actively monitor the emerging situation, including the impact(s) on various fieldwork contexts/sites and inter-provincial/territorial mobility within our fieldwork catchment area re: Alberta, Saskatchewan and the NWT. We will consult and collaborate with the AHS Provincial Student Placement Team, Covenant Health and other major fieldwork stakeholders in Alberta and Saskatchewan before any further recruitment of placements is undertaken for the summer session (OCCTH 527). The safety of therapists and students and the safety of clients served by occupational therapy in our AB, SK and NWT communities continues to be our top priority.
We will provide another update to our fieldwork stakeholders and OT practice communities at the end of April.
Thank you for your understanding and your continued support of our MScOT fieldwork program!
