A Community Development Approach in Physical Therapist Education

Physical therapists should be able to screen patients for social determinants that impact health and refer to community resources as appropriate. To make appropriate referrals, physical therapists must equip themselves with skills to connect patients and clients to community resources outside the walls of their respective institutions, starting with developing these practices in physical therapist education programs. Experienced community builders recommend a community development approach where residents initiate and agree upon decisions, and outside stakeholders work as partners to elevate the community. The community should be supported to determine the desired outcomes in ways that enhance equity, inclusion, and social justice. Communities play a substantial role in health outcomes. Studies indicate that 85% of one's health is connected to community and economic resources, while only 15% is affected by medical interventions. Connected communities are potent tools to enhance health. Connected communities are places where residents nurture neighborhood relationships that enable them to work together to create a good life supporting their collective well-being. The community-builder approach recenters people and their communities as fundamental health leaders; institutions can use their resources to elevate communities by relocating authority back to communities. Communities have assets and resources largely unrecognized, disconnected, and not mobilized by residents. Institutions are positioned to support citizens and their associations in discovering, connecting, and mobilizing these assets. This asset-based community development approach focuses on 5 principles: place-based, citizen-led, relationship-oriented, asset-based, and inclusion-focused. This perspective paper will describe ways institutions can elevate communities; the benefits of community development practices in physical therapist education programs; and explore examples of community partnerships and best practices to develop equitable alliances with residents in the community.

A large part of one's health is directly related to where one lives. Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants can play a vital role in improving the health of society by engaging in their local communities through community development. Community development is a practice where community members and outside stakeholders, such as physical therapists, come together to meet the needs of a community.