Introduction/Rationale: In New Zealand, final year Occupational Therapy students complete an occupation focussed community development placement in collaboration with local community organisations. Using models of community development, and occupational justice principles, students work in teams to develop occupational resources and support occupational opportunities for the populations that the collaborating community organisations serve.
Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate the perceived benefits of the community development placements to the graduates of the programme.
Methods/Approach: Survey methodology was used to investigate the benefits of graduates at two time intervals. New graduates who had completed the community development placement in the previous year, and occupational therapists who had been working for more than 12 months, were surveyed. Semi structured Interviews were conducted and analysed to identity the key themes. Ethical approval for the study was obtained before the survey was distributed.
Results/Practice implications: The results of the study will be presented as both quantitative survey findings and qualitative themes. The perceptions of new graduates and occupational therapists of the value of these placements to their professional learning and careers will be reported. Comparing these two groups will provide an indication of both short-term and longer-term benefits.
Conclusion/Contribution to the occupational therapy profession: The study provides insights into the value of community development placements for occupational therapy students, beyond the student education and preparation for practice.