Building International Sustainable Partnerships in Occupational Therapy: A Case Study

Area of Science:

• Occupational therapy
• International health collaborations
• Global health equity

Background:

• Occupational therapy practitioners increasingly seek international practice opportunities.
• Global health organizations encourage addressing transnational issues and promoting social inclusion through meaningful occupation.
• This case study examines a partnership between U.S. occupational therapy programs and a Cuban pediatric clinic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the dynamics sustaining an international occupational therapy partnership.
• To investigate the structural and institutional conditions fostering sustainable international collaborations.
• To understand partner perceptions and experiences within a bilateral international partnership.

Main Methods:

• Case study methodology.
• Literature review on collaborative international partnerships.
• Analysis of structural and institutional factors influencing partnership sustainability.

Main Results:

• Identified key circumstances for the emergence and flourishing of international partnerships.
• Detailed structural and institutional conditions that shape sustainable international collaborations.
• Explored partner perceptions and experiences of the bilateral international partnership.

Conclusions:

• The partnership's success is attributed to specific structural and institutional conditions.
• Provides insights into the foundations and development of successful international partnerships.
• Offers considerations for future sustainable and collaborative international occupational therapy initiatives.