Redesigning services to meet client needs: the Gage Transition to Independent Living

The Gage Transition to Independent Living, offered by Toronto's West Park Hospital, helps physically disabled adults acquire the skills necessary for living independently in the community. Although the program's goal has remained constant, its structure has changed considerably. In response to client feedback and community trends, the program has replaced its original institutional framework with a community-based one. This article traces how those involved changed the program to meet client needs, and describes what they learned in the process.

The split placement model for fieldwork placements

There continues to be a shortage of placements in Canada for fieldwork education. It is crucial for occupational therapists to explore and implement a variety of supervision alternatives to maximize the utilization of fieldwork sites. This paper describes a model of split clinical placements, one in which students divide their time between two therapists who work in either different areas of clinical practice or in the same area of clinical practice. The supervision strategies that are most effective with this model are discussed as well as the advantages and disadvantages of this approach.