Collaborative Evidence Projects: Community & University

Background: Occupational therapy (OT) practitioners are admonished to make decisions from an “evidence base.” While barriers (Lopez, Vanner, Cowan, Samuel, & Shepherd, 2008) and supports (Lin, Murphy, & Robinson., 2010) to... [ view full abstract ]

Background:
Occupational therapy (OT) practitioners are admonished to make decisions from an “evidence base.” While barriers (Lopez, Vanner, Cowan, Samuel, & Shepherd, 2008) and supports (Lin, Murphy, & Robinson., 2010) to practitioners have been identified, little has been published about how students gathering and appraising evidence could contribute to actual practice decisions. Curriculum development in OT programs can address health care needs of communities (WHO, 2013).
Educational Philosophy or theory:
Two approaches, from a bachelors program (Austria) and a masters program (USA), used collaborative projects with practitioners, creating micro “communities of practice,” teams of 2-3 students, supervising faculty, and practicing therapists in various facilities in the northwest of the USA and around Vienna, Austria.
Pedagogy / educational approach(es) used:
Students of both programs identified current evidence needs and researched them systematically in collaboration with practitioners. Topics ranged from “effective treatments for child anxiety during sensory-motor interventions,” to “effectiveness of garden spaces in dementia care.” A culminating presentation contained the search findings, the implications for practice, and the responses of the practitioners.
Evaluation:
Quality circles were conducted, and student and practitioner surveys were analyzed by students and faculty for continual program improvement.
Application to Education and /or practice:
Collaborations with OT practitioners have been fruitful especially in health promotion (Bauer, 2014). The extent to which such community-university collaborations can increase skills with evidence in practice, will be portrayed through a discussion of the outcomes of the projects. Cross-national comparisons will be made.