Introduction / Rationale: Final year occupational therapy students in Aotearoa New Zealand engage in community development placements in their final semester. In these placements, small groups of students work collaboratively with a local community organisation to explore a community occupational need. They then design, plan, and deliver a project to meet the identified need. Anecdotally, these projects are highly valued by the students and the community partners, however more evidence is needed. A research project is currently underway to systematically investigate the perceived value of the community development projects to students learning, graduates of the programme, and to the community partners
Objectives: The aim of this study was to find out what is already known in the literature about the perceived value of student-led community development projects to students, graduates, and community partners.
Methods / Approach: A review of occupational therapy literature and allied health was conducted using key words and phrases related to community development and student projects. Theoretical articles about community development were also included in the study to provide background knowledge about approaches used to inform community development.
Results / Practice Implications: The results of this literature review highlight a range of ways in which student-led community development projects are carried out within occupational therapy practice and education, and by students from a range of other disciplines.
Conclusion / Contribution to the occupational therapy profession: The study provides insights into the value of community development placements for occupational therapy students education and preparation for practice as well as the benefits to the communities that they serve.