Building International Sustainable Partnerships in Occupational Therapy: A Case Study.
Occupational therapy practitioners frequently identify opportunities for international practice. The World Health Organization and the World Federation of Occupational Therapists have encouraged occupational therapists to address transnational issues, social inclusion, and equal access to opportunities grounded in meaningful occupation (WFOT, 2012). This case study describes a partnership between two U.S. schools of occupational therapy and a Cuban community based pediatric clinic. It examines the dynamics that have sustained the partnership despite political, economic, and logistical barriers. The literature is scrutinized to show how this case study fits into other accounts of collaborative international partnerships. Particularly, it investigates structural and institutional conditions that shape international sustainable partnerships. In doing so, we answer the following questions: (1) Under which circumstances do international partnerships emerge and flourish? (2) What structural and institutional conditions shape international sustainable partnerships? And (3) How do partners perceive and experience the bilateral international partnership? It also discusses and illustrates the foundations and development of international partnerships that succeed. Through the use of a case study we illustrate the development of this partnership. Finally, we consider the next steps of this particular sustainable and collaborative international partnership.
Columbia University, Programs in Occupational Therapy, New York, NY, United States.
Debra Ann
DA
Tupe
Thomas Jefferson University, Department of Occupational Therapy, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
Stephen B
SB
Kern
Columbia University, Programs in Occupational Therapy, New York, NY, United States.
Sabrina
S
Salvant
Thomas Jefferson University, Department of Occupational Therapy, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
Pamela
P
Talero
D003462:Cuba; D054521:Cultural Competency; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D007393:International Educational Exchange; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000592:standards*; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D014481:United States
capacity building; international partnerships; occupation; sustainability