Professional Laboratories
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
The course aims at providing practical tools for the application of clinical reasoning in occupational therapy, for the use of measurement scales and patient assessment and for the management of dynamics in groups.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course the student will be able to elaborate clinical reasoning on case studies, to use assessment and evaluation tools, to discuss and manage group dynamics.
Lesson period: Open sessions
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Course syllabus
Laboratory 1
The teacher presents the evaluation tools in classroom taught lessons, also with the help of videos, based on real cases. The class is then divided into small groups to facilitate the practical application of the theoretical issues. Each group has to try out the different methods and evaluation tools presented by the teacher during the initial session.
Laboratory 2.
The workshop takes place in the form of role-playing and is based on real cases encountered during the internship. The students propose difficult and complex situations that they would like to discuss and reflect on together with the group. During the roleplay each student has a role; either he/she participates actively in the role-playing or acts as an observer. The laboratory is led by an occupational therapist experienced in group dynamics.
Laboratory 3.
The workshop aims at providing moments of reflection on the professional role of occupational therapists and how to promote the profession in the various areas of application. After a brief introduction and presentation of the workshop, the student will be asked to extract a topic that he/she will then have to deepen, such as the presentation of occupational therapy in high schools, to the parents of a disabled child, during Open Days, to employers. At home and individually the student will have to produce articles, leaflets, videos etc related to the topic of the argument extracted. As a conclusion of the workshop, the result will be presented and discussed in the classroom.
The teacher presents the evaluation tools in classroom taught lessons, also with the help of videos, based on real cases. The class is then divided into small groups to facilitate the practical application of the theoretical issues. Each group has to try out the different methods and evaluation tools presented by the teacher during the initial session.
Laboratory 2.
The workshop takes place in the form of role-playing and is based on real cases encountered during the internship. The students propose difficult and complex situations that they would like to discuss and reflect on together with the group. During the roleplay each student has a role; either he/she participates actively in the role-playing or acts as an observer. The laboratory is led by an occupational therapist experienced in group dynamics.
Laboratory 3.
The workshop aims at providing moments of reflection on the professional role of occupational therapists and how to promote the profession in the various areas of application. After a brief introduction and presentation of the workshop, the student will be asked to extract a topic that he/she will then have to deepen, such as the presentation of occupational therapy in high schools, to the parents of a disabled child, during Open Days, to employers. At home and individually the student will have to produce articles, leaflets, videos etc related to the topic of the argument extracted. As a conclusion of the workshop, the result will be presented and discussed in the classroom.
Prerequisites for admission
Be enrolled in the program
Teaching methods
Professional Laboratory 1: class room taught lesson, presentation of video films, group work
Professional Laboratory 2: roleplaying
Professional Laboratory 3: class room taught lesson, individual work, presentation and discussion of the individual work
Professional Laboratory 4 group work
Professional Laboratory 5 individual work, presentation and discussion of the individual work
Professional Laboratory 2: roleplaying
Professional Laboratory 3: class room taught lesson, individual work, presentation and discussion of the individual work
Professional Laboratory 4 group work
Professional Laboratory 5 individual work, presentation and discussion of the individual work
Teaching Resources
The educational material is delivered to students both in paper form and via the web and prepared by each teacher in relation to the topics covered.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Professional laboratory 1
The Creative and Manual Activities laboratory provides students with experiential learning opportunities designed to develop knowledge and understanding of expressive, creative, and craft-based activities as therapeutic modalities within occupational therapy practice. Through the direct exploration of materials, techniques, and creative processes, students acquire competencies in activity analysis, evaluation of the skills and performance components required for participation, and the adaptation of occupational interventions to meet individual needs. The laboratory emphasizes the promotion of participation, autonomy, and well-being through meaningful and person-centred occupations.
Professional laboratory 2
The simulation in the laboratory is closely related to the in-depth seminars and lectures scheduled by the second year's curriculum and aims at deepen practical and technical skills in the relational dynamics between the patient and the occupational therapist (or other professionals who intervene on the patient) in all areas of occupational therapy. The laboratory is organized in role-playing, based on real cases encountered during the internship. At the end of the course, the student will write a report on the most significant experiences presented during the laboratory.
Professional laboratory 3
Each student will individually prepare articles, leaflets, videos for the promotion of the profession addressed at the multi / interprofessional team, institutions, schools, workplaces and / or the communities; each student will present the proposal to fellows and discuss their point of view in a specific session.
Professional laboratory 4
This practical laboratory is designed to provide students with knowledge of the main types of wheelchairs, their components, and their appropriate use. Students develop foundational competencies in the assessment, selection, fitting, adaptation, and management of wheelchairs in relation to an individual's occupational needs, functional abilities, and environmental context. The laboratory promotes an understanding of assistive technology as a means of enhancing participation, independence, and engagement in meaningful occupations.
Professional laboratory 5
This practical laboratory engages students in the design and construction of wooden projects while fostering the analysis of the motor, cognitive, and interpersonal skills involved in the activity. Through hands-on experience, students develop competencies in the use of manual and craft-based activities as therapeutic interventions, as well as in the adaptation of such activities to meet the individual needs, abilities, and goals of clients. The laboratory emphasizes the therapeutic value of meaningful occupation in promoting participation, skill development, and well-being.
The Creative and Manual Activities laboratory provides students with experiential learning opportunities designed to develop knowledge and understanding of expressive, creative, and craft-based activities as therapeutic modalities within occupational therapy practice. Through the direct exploration of materials, techniques, and creative processes, students acquire competencies in activity analysis, evaluation of the skills and performance components required for participation, and the adaptation of occupational interventions to meet individual needs. The laboratory emphasizes the promotion of participation, autonomy, and well-being through meaningful and person-centred occupations.
Professional laboratory 2
The simulation in the laboratory is closely related to the in-depth seminars and lectures scheduled by the second year's curriculum and aims at deepen practical and technical skills in the relational dynamics between the patient and the occupational therapist (or other professionals who intervene on the patient) in all areas of occupational therapy. The laboratory is organized in role-playing, based on real cases encountered during the internship. At the end of the course, the student will write a report on the most significant experiences presented during the laboratory.
Professional laboratory 3
Each student will individually prepare articles, leaflets, videos for the promotion of the profession addressed at the multi / interprofessional team, institutions, schools, workplaces and / or the communities; each student will present the proposal to fellows and discuss their point of view in a specific session.
Professional laboratory 4
This practical laboratory is designed to provide students with knowledge of the main types of wheelchairs, their components, and their appropriate use. Students develop foundational competencies in the assessment, selection, fitting, adaptation, and management of wheelchairs in relation to an individual's occupational needs, functional abilities, and environmental context. The laboratory promotes an understanding of assistive technology as a means of enhancing participation, independence, and engagement in meaningful occupations.
Professional laboratory 5
This practical laboratory engages students in the design and construction of wooden projects while fostering the analysis of the motor, cognitive, and interpersonal skills involved in the activity. Through hands-on experience, students develop competencies in the use of manual and craft-based activities as therapeutic interventions, as well as in the adaptation of such activities to meet the individual needs, abilities, and goals of clients. The laboratory emphasizes the therapeutic value of meaningful occupation in promoting participation, skill development, and well-being.
- University credits: 3
Laboratories: 45 hours