A model of university-community partnerships for occupational therapy scholarship and practice

SUMMARY University-community partnerships are at the heart of community-based Occupational Therapy and the Scholarship of Practice that links practice with theory and research. In these partnerships, academicians, students, practitioners and staff from community organizations work in collaboration with a variety of community settings and programs, involving community leaders, agency staff, and/or members of grassroots groups. This paper presents a framework of seven characteristics that are typical of successful partnership endeavors, such as building a relationship based on trust and mutual respect. We illustrate how this model can be used to promote praxis between theory, research and practice with two examples of ongoing community partnerships that involve an educational community practicum for all entry-level OT students. We also discuss the benefits and challenges of such partnership and discuss the implications for community-based OT.