Community Based Interventions (5 cr)

Evaluation scale

Pass/Fail

Content scheduling

The course suits well to both face-to-face students and distant learners. Learning will take place through: an introductory webinar, independent study, international webinars, contact days on campus, a community project and by practising the use of an assessment method.

The course starts with an introductory webinar, which everyone is expected to attend.

The course includes a lot of independent study on the Moodle e-learning environment. Students choose whether to complete these tasks independently online remotely or in the classroom with a small team of students. The 2h classroom time is only for those students who wish to work on the assignments as a team in discussion. If students wish to complete these remotely independently, they do not need to come to the classroom or webinar during these times.

The course aims to run international webinars with foreign partners. Due to time differences, these webinars may take place in the evening and will be announced at the latest at the beginning of the course.

All students on the course must attend the 6-8h contact days of the course. These days will include visits and practical exercises as well as professional discussion and theoretical reflection on the course theme.

The students carry out a community project, which includes planning and implementing the project either in the Jyväskylä region or in their home town. The Canadian Occupational Therapy Theory 2023 will be used in the different phases of the project.

Students will practice using the Ralla play assessment method or the Housing Enabler accessibility assessment method independently or in small groups.

Objective

Purpose of the course
In this course you will learn principles of community based work in social and health sector. Communities have significant role facilitating and inhibiting individuals´ occupational engagement.

Learning outcomes of the course

After the course you will know different communities and understand the role of communities facilitating or inhibiting occupational engagement.
You will know cultural aspects of communities and how to promote occupational justice. You will be able to collaborate with communities in order to promote the health and well-being for their members through their participation in occupation.

You will understand the principles of community centered work and cultural impact on the occupations, persons and occupational performance. You can plan and implement a developmental project in a community.

You will know how to use Housing Enabler assessment method and use the assessment results in order to make housing community more accessible for individuals. OR You will know how to use Ralla/Pags -play observation method and use the assessment results in order to help children to play in their communities.


Competences

Competence in the management and promotion of occupational therapy services (Toimintaterapiapalvelujen johtamisen ja edistämisen osaaminen)

Competence in responsible occupational therapy work (Vastuullisen toimintaterapiatyöskentelyn osaaminen)

Content

Basic concepts and cultural aspects of community based interventions.
Examples of community based interventions, such as green care and physical activities.
Developing a community based program in social and health care sector.
The use of own professional compentece in planning and implementing a short developmental project in social and health care sector.
Ralla/Pags -play observation method OR Housing Enabler home accessibility assessment method.

1 ECTS credits = Basement of community based interventions
1 ECTS credits = Examples of community based interventions OR International Intensive Study Week at JAMK
2 ECTS credits = Carrying out a developmental project OR International Study Visit Abroad
1 ECTS credits = Ralla/PAGS assessment method OR Housing Enabler assessment method

Materials

Learning material will include literature and articles in English.

Scaffa, M,E. 2020. Occupational therapy in community and population health practice.

Teaching methods

The course includes contact days on campus, webinars and independent studies.

Employer connections

The course assignment, the community-based project is encouraged to apply together with representatives from working life.

International connections

The course enables co-operation with exchange students.
The course may include two webinars in the evening time with international collaboration with university students abroad and/or a study visit to the UK. The course is available to exchange students.

Student workload

Study contents are including ETCS as following:

- Basement for Community-Based Interventions: 1 etcs
- Examples of  Community-Based Interventions  1 etcs
- Ralla or Housing Enabler assessment method: 1 etcs 
- Course task: community-based project: 2 etcs 

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

The criteria to pass the course:
• The student knows different communities and understands the role of communities in facilitating or inhibiting occupational engagement
• The student understands the principles of community-centered work and cultural impact on the occupations, persons, and occupational performance
• The student knows the cultural aspects of communities and how to promote occupational justice
• The student is able to collaborate with communities in order to promote the health and well-being of their members through their participation in occupation
• The student can plan and implement a developmental project in a community
• The student understands the theoretical background of the Ralla method and is able to use the method. Based on the assessment results, student is able to set goals and plan interventions to support the child's play in natural environments. OR
The student understands the theoretical background of the Housing Enabler method and is able to use the method. Based on the assessment results, student is able to plan interventions or home modifications to a specific client case.

Qualifications

Basic understaning of client-centered work in social- and health care.

Further information

Exchange students: 5