Re-imagining occupational therapy clients as communities: Presenting the community-centred practice framework

Abstract

The proposed framework should assist occupational therapists to conceptualize community-centered practice, and to utilize and apply theory.

Capabilities, Opportunities, Resources and Environments (CORE): Using the CORE approach for inclusive, occupation‐centred practice

“…People and groups with skills in “advocacy, lobbying, politicisation and system navigation” are important practice resources that need to be identified and accessed (Pereira, p. 433). In a rural context, these people are known as local leaders or champions, people who are known to participate in community and are regularly accessed for their local knowledge, influence and connections (Hyett et al, ). Equally, people and groups with social and cultural expertise are critical to this process.…”

“…While it is important to capture the political, moral and cultural essence of social inclusion from an understanding of its theoretical foundations and historical-political context, respectively (Pereira & Whiteford, 2013;Whiteford & Pereira, 2012), the first author's research highlighted the importance of the four key elements of social inclusion for emancipatory practice that make up the CORE approach (Pereira, 2017). Thus, the CORE approach specifically focuses on a deeper practical application, or praxis, of capabilities and opportunities, resources to enable opportunities for capability realisation (Krishnakumar & Nogales, 2015;Pereira, 2013Pereira, , 2017Sen, 1999), and environments, or contexts that support the process of achieving social inclusion (Hyett, Kenny, & Dickson-Swift, 2019;Law et al, 1996;Malfitano & Lopes, 2018;Pereira, 2014;Whiteford, Jones, Rahal, & Suleman, 2018).…”

“…433). In a rural context, these people are known as local leaders or champions, people who are known to participate in community and are regularly accessed for their local knowledge, influence and connections (Hyett et al, 2019). Equally, people and groups with social and cultural expertise are critical to this process.…”

“…Environments and having access to the necessary settings and contexts to foster and enable authentic occupational outcomes and social inclusion is an essential for capability enablement. Occupations cannot be isolated from people or environments (Law et al, ), and as such, recognising the influence of contexts on occupational possibilities (Laliberte Rudman, ), enables the occupational therapist to more comprehensively identify barriers and enablers for occupational performance and fulfilment (Hyett et al, ; Kirsh, ; Malfitano & Lopes, ).…”

“…Community is defined by a shared social and cultural identity (Hyett et al, ), therefore in working in rural community health and at the community level, it is important to gain a deep understanding of collective cultural identity and history. This requires relational work, engaging in conversations with local people, asking about experiences and impacts of historical events and how this influences community roles, routines and values ( community occupations ; Hyett et al).…”