Introduction: Community-based occupational therapy (CBOT) focuses on promoting well-being and health through meaningful activities and social interactions within the community. As CBOT gains increasing importance in modern therapy, agile project management methods have been introduced to improve the adaptability and effectiveness of interventions. By integrating CBOT into the curriculum of occupational therapy education, future therapists are equipped with innovative tools to foster both their soft and hard skills.
Approach: Occupational therapy students at Spektrum Academy in Berlin undertook a CBOT project using agile project management techniques. The project involved iterative development, teamwork, and flexible responses to the evolving needs of the community. Students applied and developed soft skills (such as flexibility and communication) and hard skills (such as planning and task management) through hands-on experiences within the community.
Results: The CBOT project successfully demonstrated the positive impact of agile methods in enhancing project efficiency and developing critical professional competencies. Both soft and hard skills were significantly improved as students managed real-world challenges and adapted their approaches based on community feedback. The project highlighted the effectiveness of integrating such methods into educational programs for occupational therapy.
Significance to the Occupational Therapy Profession: The incorporation of agile project management into community-based occupational therapy education provides a promising framework for preparing future occupational therapists. By developing both soft and hard skills through hands-on community projects, students are better equipped to meet the diverse and evolving needs of the communities they serve, significantly contributing to the future of the occupational therapy profession.