Course overview
The aim of this course is to develop competence for occupational therapy practice in community and primary health care. Theoretical frameworks appropriate to community practice including social health frameworks. Approaches to the management of chronic conditions in the community setting, including a range of disciplines, services and service models. Occupational impact, risk factors, processes and course of a range of chronic conditions including chronic pain, diabetes (Types 1 and 2), heart and lung diseases, arthritis, degenerative neurological diseases, autism and developmental delay. Social and emotional impact of a range of chronic conditions. Occupational therapy strategies and techniques for enabling occupational performance relevant to service delivery to clients with a chronic condition in a community setting. Factors that impact on occupational performance and health from a community perspective, including socio-economic, political, physical, interpersonal and cultural dimensions of environment. Trans- cultural and ethical practice.
Course learning outcomes
- Evaluate and interpret the environmental contexts of health at a local, national and global level and evaluate and interpret social models of health in an historical and contemporary perspective.
- Demonstrate the ability to compare and critique a range of community and primary health care approaches.
- Interpret and apply the risk factors, processes and course for a range of chronic conditions including impact on occupational performance.
- Critique a range of approaches/theoretical frameworks used by community based occupational therapists in supporting clients manage their chronic health conditions.
- Compare contributions and benefits of other disciplines and role of inter and trans disciplinary models in the management of clients with chronic conditions in the community.
- Select, justify and demonstrate appropriate intervention(s) applicable to community based management of clients with chronic conditions.
- Demonstrate safe clinical reasoning and problem solving skills related to assessment, interpretation and intervention as applicable to community based management of clients with chronic health conditions.