Occupational therapy students explore an area for future practice in HIV/AIDS community wellness.
Participating in community wellness projects is one way occupational therapy students at Winston-Salem State University (WSSU), Occupational Therapy Program in North Carolina are learning to expand occupational therapy into the community. In a fieldwork experience, 13 juniors are assigned to a community HIV/AIDS project to increase community awareness and prevention of the spread of HIV/AIDS. The project is implemented in conjunction with HOPE (HIV Outreach Programs and Education), STEP ONE, and the Samaritan Ministries. The students' efforts culminate in an HIV/AIDS Rally. Student learning is grouped into categories of planning, implementation, and follow up. This experience resulted in students working as volunteers for HOPE; students collaborating together on a research project to determine the extent University students understand how to prevent the spread of HIV; and students considering a WSSU campus-based HIV/AIDS awareness activity during October 2001 AIDS Awareness Month.
Phillips
Irene
I
Department of Occupational Therapy, Winston-Salem State University, School of Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27110, USA. phillipsi@wssu.edu
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D009657:North Carolina; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000193:education*