The partnering model: occupational therapy assistant and occupational therapy students working together.
SUMMARY Establishing a partnering relationship between the occupational therapy assistant (OTA) and the occupational therapist (OT) is imperative in order to create an optimal working environment and deliver effective client care. A developmental model that provides students with opportunities to practice such a relationship has been used by an OTA and OT program in southwestern Ohio. This developmental Partnering Model gives students an opportunity to interact, work as teams, and collaborate during their educational experience. Each aspect of the model provides students with experiential learning opportunities. Educators will serve their OTA and OT students well in providing opportunities for them to develop and practice the skills they will need to create an optimal working environment and deliver effective client care as occupational therapy practitioners.
Xavier University, Department of Occupational Therapy, 3800 Victory Parkway, Cincinnati, OH, 45207-7341 scheerer@xu.edu.
Carol R
CR
Scheerer