Introduction / Rationale: Community development (CD) is a key international research priority in occupational therapy (OT) as a form of community-based practice. While various theoretical and case studies exist, the research literature remains largely unorganized.
Objectives: To summarize the scope and content of research on CD practice in occupational therapy.
Methods / Approach: A scoping review was conducted to map existing research systematically. A comprehensive literature search was performed across multiple databases for studies published up to October 2023. Inclusion criteria were established to identify OT research on CD published in English. Data were charted based on key attributes, including research aims, design, country, and participant/data sources.
Results / Practice Implications: Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria. Most were conducted in Canada (n = 7), followed by South Africa (n = 4), Australia (n = 3), and one study each in France, the UK, and Germany. One study collected data in both Australia and Canada. All 17 studies employed qualitative methodologies, focusing on OTs’ skills and perspectives in CD practice, conceptualization of CD, promotion of CD, and understanding of CD within OT.
Conclusion / Contribution to the occupational therapy profession: Research on CD in occupational therapy has been predominantly qualitative and limited to certain countries. To deepen our understanding of diverse practices, future research should be conducted across a broader range of national contexts. Furthermore, to advance evidence in this field, there is a need to define measurable outcomes of CD practice by OTs and to develop standardized methods and processes for their assessment. The outcomes should be flexible and changeable according to the purpose and content of the CD.