Undergraduate occupational therapy students’ perceptions of their preparedness for splinting in hand rehabilitation: An exploratory study at the University of KwaZulu-Natal

Despite acquiring theoretical knowledge, students felt underprepared and uncertain due to limited clinical opportunities, inadequate supervision, and minimal hands-on practice during fieldwork. This lack of confidence and competence may deter students from pursuing specialisation in hand rehabilitation. To address these gaps, students recommended strategies such as increasing practical time dedicated to splinting, introducing training earlier in the program, expanding the splinting curriculum to cover a broader range of splint types, and strengthening university support structures, which align with existing literature, that emphasises the crucial role of hands-on experience in fostering confidence and competence. These findings have implications for curriculum development and suggest the need for policy reforms prioritising clinical competency in undergraduate occupational therapy education.