Introduction: The worldwide primary care crisis has emphasized the need for team-based models of care. For occupational therapists, interprofessional primary care is a relatively new practice setting and targeted training materials are required to prepare the workforce.
Objectives: Enhance the global capacity of occupational therapists to practice in primary care teams.
Methods: Multiple methods were employed to create two online asynchronous learning modules. The first of two modules used a consensus methodology with representatives from physiotherapy, social work, speech and language, audiology, and dietitians to identify foundational knowledge on primary care. A pan-Canadian team, supported by the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) and a community advisory group, developed the second module that aligned with CAOT’s “Vision for Occupational Therapy: A Path Forward”.2 An environmental scan was conducted to identify open source materials designed to support team based primary care. A developmental evaluation approach was used to inform an evaluation framework.
Results: Two comprehensive evidence-based online modules were created. The first introduces core concepts and models of primary care, and the second explores occupational therapist’s unique contributions and services in primary care. The environmental scan yielded eight online resources, five focused on primary care teams and three targeted occupational therapists in primary care. An evaluation framework was designed to support a full-scale implementation. CAOT is hosting a national practice network with practice-based resources.
Conclusions: Occupational therapy learners and practitioners from across the globe have access to evidence-based online education modules and practice-based supports. Full scale practice implementation and evaluation across multiple contexts is the next needed step.