Article

AIM: To explore community-university partnerships in occupational therapy
education in Europe. METHOD: Educators from Europe were invited to participate in
the study. Data were collected using a questionnaire designed for the study.
Eleven completed questionnaires were included. Descriptive statistics were
generated from quantitative data while qualitative data were analyzed using
inductive content analysis. RESULTS: The majority of participants reported that
community-university partnerships were part of the third year of undergraduate
occupational therapy studies. Partners were from a broad range of sectors. The
activities undertaken were typically focused on specific target groups within the
community. Three main themes emerged from the qualitative analysis (i)
instigating community-university partnerships, (ii) processes of creating and
sustaining partnerships and (iii) perceived outcomes of community-university
partnerships. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study of community-university
partnerships in Europe generating some useful findings. Clarification is needed
regarding the use of the term community-university partnership. Educators are
called upon to consider how partnerships are embedded into curricula and to
address issues of sustainability. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: Healthcare
education should prepare rehabilitation professionals to collaborate with diverse
communities. Community--university collaborations appear to offer opportunities
to support students to develop competences for future community orientated
practice. Key issues to be considered include choice of pedagogical approach,
issues of reciprocity and sustainability.

Langue : ANGLAIS