title: Communities of practice: A means to support occupational therapists' continuing professional development. A literature review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This literature review investigates what research reports about the contribution that communities of practice (CoPs) can make in the continuing professional development (CPD) of qualified occupational therapists.
  
  
  METHODS
  Academic databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE and ERIC) were searched and articles were included based on pre-determined criteria. Five articles were included in the review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The CoPs in the reviewed articles provided opportunities for knowledge sharing, knowledge translation, reflection on action and learning through boundary crossing. The presence of professionals with diverse perspectives was an important ingredient that facilitated CPD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Research into the use of CoPs in occupational therapy is sparse. CoPs could provide a CPD forum for occupational therapists whether online or face to face. Practitioners are encouraged to participate in CoPs. Further research into the use of CoPs is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, HAN University of Applied Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Margot
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9554-3726
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barry
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health, HAN University of Applied Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Wietske
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kuijer-Siebelink
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Education, HAN University of Applied Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.|Welten-Institute for Research on Learning, Teaching and Technology, Open University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Loek
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nieuwenhuis
authors.affiliation: Head of Primary Care Specialty Training Department, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Nynke
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Scherpbier-de Haan
mesh_terms: D004496:Education, Continuing / Q000592:standards; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D006801:Humans; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D011361:Professional Competence / Q000592:standards*; D013192:Staff Development / Q000592:standards
keywords: contemporary practice issues; learning; occupational therapy research