Conceptualizing Community Development: Occupational Therapy Practice at the Intersection of Health Services and Community

Abstract

Background. Despite occupational therapy's theoretical commitment to community development (CD) approaches, current practice models focus on individual interventions rather than community issues. Purpose. This research examined three cases of Canadian occupational therapists working in CD to conceptualize CD from an occupational therapy perspective. Method. Data collection occurred over 12–14 days at each site and included observations, document reviews, and interviews with 14 colleagues and program participants. Constructivist grounded theory informed data analysis. Findings. A conceptual framework was developed that describes the contextual background to CD initiatives and the strategies used: nurturing community partnerships, building community capacity, influencing health services, and linking sectors. Underlying these strategies was the strategic use of self, which allowed the sharing of power and legitimacy to create opportunities for meaningful occupational engagement. Implications. The conceptual framework helps articulate CD's underlying processes and can be used to understand and guide practice.