title: Exploring Canadian occupational therapists' understanding of and experiences in community development.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Occupational therapists are increasingly recognizing the importance of working with communities as a way to enhance health and well-being. Such work can occur through community development, a community-driven process in which communities are supported in identifying and addressing their health priorities.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This paper presents the qualitative findings of a study that explored the experiences of occupational therapists in Canada working in community development including how they understand community development and how they designed their role in this field.
  
  
  METHODS
  Occupational therapists working in community development shared their experiences and understanding of community development during 12 interviews.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results of this study describe the iterative, reflexive process occupational therapists have undergone in coming to establish their role in this field.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Recommendations are made regarding the preparation of future occupational therapists and for supporting those currently working in this field.
authors.affiliation: School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. 1hl7@queensu.ca
authors.forename: Heidi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lauckner
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Pentland
authors.forename: Margo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Paterson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002170:Canada; D003256:Community Participation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D011361:Professional Competence; D012922:Social Change