Participatory Community Practice: A Community-based Rehabilitation Curriculum in Occupational Therapy and Lessons Learned through Partnerships with Undergraduate Students

Abstract

Occupational therapy has a significant contribution to make within the community-based rehabilitation (CBR) framework. The profession’s core philosophy has a great deal in common with the underlying principles of community development which are inherent in CBR. It is essential that our education programs provide students with opportunities to develop knowledge and skill in this area to ensure the profession is able to continue to contribute to the health and well-being of our communities. Students are the future ambassadors and leaders of the profession, and we can learn from them through a learning partnership. This article describes how we are achieving this at the University of South Australia in Adelaide, Australia.

Keywords:

• community development
• participation
• education