MULTIPROFESSIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION IN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPPMENT: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Background: The European Active and Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) Joint Programs have the goal to create with the help of ICT-technology innovative products that enhance quality of life in elderly people while strengthening... [ view full abstract ]

Background:
The European Active and Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) Joint Programs have the goal to create with the help of ICT-technology innovative products that enhance quality of life in elderly people while strengthening the industrial base of Europe (1). Participating projects consortia have to comprise of at least 3 partners from 3 different European countries to develop within two to three years a marketable ICT-based product. Research institutions and companies usually build private-public partnerships for this task. OTs have been participating in such projects to incorporate OT insight into product development. However, participation is challenging.
Method:
Survey of participants of two AAL Projects (n=10), two group discussions with participants in AAL project amongst the ZHAW.
Results:
Cooperation between different professions and countries are considered exciting and enriching. Challenges, especially in communication, arise as 1) command of English as a “lingua franca” is not always given, 2) professional backgrounds and disciplines vary greatly, 3) cultural backgrounds, work settings and preconditions are very diverse, which leads to different expectations and goalsetting as well as working- and communication styles.
Conclusion:
Big emphasis has to be given to communication amongst participants in such projects. Communication structures and necessary time have to be well planned.
Application to Practice:
OTs can be part of product development in European AAL projects. They can bring an OT-perspective to other professions through project-partnerships and take part in leading OT into new fields and client segments.
Literature:
(1) AAL - ACTIVE AND ASSISTED LIVING PROGRAMME (2015): About. http://www.aal-europe.eu/about/