Current Landscape of Teaching Diversity in Occupational Therapy Education: A Scoping Review

Mapping intervention practices in social occupational therapy in Brazil

BACKGROUND

Social occupational therapy developed in Brazil in the late 1970s and early 1980s as a practice approach to the social issues experienced by vulnerable populations.

AIM

The aim of this study was to analyse the theoretical-methodological framework which has supported social occupational therapy practices and interventions in Brazil.

METHOD

In a scoping review following PRISMA- ScR, the following databases were searched for publications reporting the practices and interventions of social occupational therapy: Scopus, Web of Science, Latin American and Caribbean Literature on Health Sciences (LILACS) and The Cochrane Library.

RESULTS

Twenty-six publications met the inclusion criteria. The interventions were aimed at socially vulnerable children and young people at risk of violations of their rights. The studies employed active/participatory pedagogical methodologies which make the participant groups' protagonism central to their learning and intervention process. These approaches are supported by social and human science epistemologies.

CONCLUSIONS

Social occupational therapy has inaugurated a paradigm shift by prioritising working with populations in situations of vulnerability arising from socioeconomic, cultural, political and identity issues. This perspective is anchored in theoretical approaches which are strongly linked to collective social actions which arose from the conditions of Brazil's period of military dictatorship.

SIGNIFICANCE

At a time when there has been increasing emphasis on addressing marginal groups and widening health inequalities social occupational therapy practice in community development contexts around a focus on vulnerability has been of increasing interest in the wider knowledge sphere of the profession. This article presents a scoping review for anglophone readers.

Developing of Multidimensional Perspectives Checklist of Professionalism for Undergraduate Occupational Therapy Students in Assistive Technology Service: Delphi Study

Professionalism is a critical attribute that occupational therapy students must establish throughout education, especially in the context of assistive technology (AT). This study aimed to construct a multidimensional perspectives checklist (MPC) from the stakeholders to reflect professionalism development in the AT service courses. Fifteen experts in AT clinical practice and educators (N = 15) consented to and completed three rounds of the Delphi survey. Data were qualitatively analyzed to form a preliminary checklist in the first round. In rounds two and three, participants rated their level of agreement with the MPC items. A descriptive analysis of consensus was performed. Thirty items were classified into five subscales (teachers, therapists, patients, peers, learners) and fit into a framework with three dimensions and seven categories. After the Delphi survey, the MPC achieved high consensus, convergence, and stability. Two additional categories of professionalism emerged in the study, namely aesthetic and personal characteristics and reflection. The MPC developed in this study reflects the perspectives of various stakeholders in occupational therapy practice, providing helpful information for students to prepare themselves. Therefore, the MPC could contribute to expanding and developing the scope of professionalism in occupational therapy, especially in AT service.

Exploring the Role of Occupational Therapy and Forced Migration in Canada

BACKGROUND.

In response to increasing forced migration across the globe, Canadian occupational therapists are returning to the profession's social justice roots by exploring this emergent area of practice. Purpose. This research explores occupational therapy practices with forced migrants in a Canadian context. Method. Grounded in critical epistemologies, the researchers conducted 12 semi-structured interviews with occupational therapists, students, and researchers connected to displacement. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings. Four themes describe current occupational therapy practices related to forced migration: 1) engaging clients in new environments, 2) translating the everyday, 3) connecting and networking, and 4) advocating for occupational justice. Implications. This research contributes to the advancement of occupational therapy and forced migration by documenting the diverse and fluid nature of occupational therapy roles. Further, the paper outlines promising reflexive practices while forwarding advocacy priorities for (occupational) justice.

Occupational Therapy Curriculum Design Framework

Intended for occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant educators, the Occupational Therapy Curriculum Design Framework presents a practical approach to designing occupational therapy curricula with attention to influential factors that should be considered throughout the process. The framework provides an overarching view of occupational therapy curriculum design that can be adapted to a faculty’s vision for their particular institution. Although the unique features of a curriculum will vary from institution to institution, foundational core elements should be present in all curricula. With this in mind, faculty should be deliberate, reflective, and organized when crafting their own occupational therapy curriculum. This framework offers reflection questions, resources, and curriculum examples that may be applied to occupational therapy curricula at all degree levels. This framework does not dictate program content or implementation and is not intended to be used as a guide to ensure compliance with accreditation standards.