Donna Drynan, MEd, BSc(OT)

My research interests lie mainly in the area of adult education. I am particularly interested in how Occupational Therapy students acquire competency while learning in the field. As well, I would like to understand the role interprofessional (IP) education plays in the acquisition of IP competencies. There are a number of other fieldwork related topics that I would like to explore, including:

• Work based assessment of interprofessional competencies
• The impact of community service learning on OT students’ values and attitudes towards volunteerism
• The evaluation of on-line resources to support clinicians in their roles as educators
• Alternate fieldwork models
• Assessment of continuing competence

Please see my Fieldwork Education Blog

My teaching expertise is in Assistive and Rehabilitation Technology. I have designed and delivered courses in this area for over 20 years.

Recently I have become responsible for courses related to professional education of occupational therapists.

I have designed and delivered courses to practicing occupational therapists on how best to educate students in the field, and taught similar topics to entry level OT students.

I am a fan of participatory learning and I have worked hard at developing my skills as a teacher and facilitator for both large and small groups of students.

I am not currently supervising any research students.

• Member, Canadian Association of Occupational Therapy (CAOT)
• Member, Continuing Competency Committee, College of Occupational Therapists of British Columbia
• Co-chair Canadian University Fieldwork Educators Committee, Association of Canadian Occupational Therapy University Programs (ACOTUP)

*link to articles provided when possible*

Drynan, D, and the Canadian University Fieldwork Educators (CUFE) Subcommittee. (2013). 10 + 1 reasons for you to make students an offer they can’t refuse! OT Now, 15(1), 5-7.

Drynan, D. (2013). International placements: What are the attractions and perceived benefits? OT Now, 15(1), 14-16.

Marina K, Drynan D, & Tiessen E. (2011). Evaluation of methods for teaching electronic visual scanning to children with cerebral palsy: Two series of case reports. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 1-12,
DOI: 10.3109/17483107.2011.635329

Kassam R, McLeod E, Collins, J, Tidball G & Drynan D, Neufeld L, Kwong, M. Meeting the clinical education needs of community-based preceptors: An environmental scan to identify format and content for a new web-based resource. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice, April 2011. Volume 9 Number 2.

Kassam R., MacLeod E., Kwong M., Tidball G., Collins J., Neufeld L., Drynan D. (2012). An interprofessional web-based resource for health professions preceptors. American Journal of Pharmacy Education, 76(9):Article 168.

Kassam R., MacLeod E., Collins J., Tidball G., Drynan D., Neufeld L., Kwong M. (2011). Meeting the clinical education needs of community-based preceptors: An environmental scan to identify format and content for a new web-based resource. Internet Journal for Allied Health Sciences and Practice, 9(2):ISSN 1540-580X.

Holmes J, Bossers A. Polatajko H, Drynan D, Gallagher MB, O’Sullivan C, Slade A, Stier J, Storr C, South, J.& Denney J. (2010). 1000 fieldwork hours: Analysis of multi-site evidence. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 77(3), 135-143.
Penman M, Donnelly C, Drynan D. Issues and possibilities using information and communication technology in fieldwork education. In McAllister L, Paterson M, Higgs J, Bithell C, (2010) Innovations in Allied Health Fieldwork Education: A Critical Appraisal, Sense Publishers. Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
On-Line Course

Drynan D, Kassam R, Macleod E. & Neufeld L. E-tips for practice education: Working with students in the practice education setting. Pilot Testing Phase – April 2008 launch.