Introduction / Rationale: The WFOT Approval Process for Occupational Therapy Programmes is a quality assurance mechanism that helps ensure that occupational therapy graduates are ready to respond and address the occupational needs of their communities and countries. It is ideal to have a roster of occupational therapists in each country capacitated to undertake the WFOT Approval Process for Occupational Therapy Education Programmes.
Objectives:
- Discuss the importance of building capacity among occupational therapists and national occupational therapy associations to review education programmes for WFOT approval
- Describe the partnership between the Philippines and Indonesia in capacitating reviewers for WFOT approval
- Discuss the challenges in and plans for sustaining and expanding such a partnership
Methods / Approach: In this interactive presentation, the collaboration between the Philippines and Indonesia in capacitating programme reviewers in Indonesia will be discussed. The personal experiences of those involved in the capacity-building process will be explored.
Results / Practice Implications: The collaborative process had 3 initial stages—orientation, mentored practice, and actual review of programme. This project resulted in more occupational therapists in Indonesia capacitated to review education programmes applying for WFOT approval. It provided the opportunity for the national association to undertake the approval process in a context-appropriate and efficient manner.
Conclusion / Contribution to the occupational therapy profession: The WFOT Approval of Occupational Therapy Education Programmes ensures the quality of occupational therapy education and the continued development of education programmes. In building a country’s capacity to undertake this process, international collaboration is indispensable.