Authors:
Primary health care plays an important role in helping people stay healthy and access services close to where they live. Occupational therapists are increasingly expected to work in primary health care settings, but little is known about how well students are prepared for these roles during their university studies.
This study explored how occupational therapy students in Cyprus felt about their readiness to work in primary health care after graduation. Students shared their experiences of the curriculum and discussed what helped them learn and what could be improved. They also suggested ways to strengthen teaching and learning.
The findings showed that students had limited exposure to primary health care during their studies and often felt unprepared for the wide range of responsibilities involved in this area of practice. While some parts of the curriculum helped them develop relevant knowledge and skills, students believed that more practical, hands-on, and collaborative learning opportunities were needed to connect classroom learning with real-world practice.
The study highlights the need for occupational therapy education programmes in Cyprus to include more content and experiences related to primary health care. Better preparation could help future occupational therapists feel more confident, strengthen their professional identity, and expand their role in supporting the health and well-being of individuals and communities.