The Merging of Occupational Therapy Student Leadership and Services into an Existing Student-Run Physical Therapy Pro Bono Clinic

A Model for Integrated Interprofessional Student Leadership

Abstract

Despite frequent collaboration between occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT) services in pro bono clinic settings, few published reports describe how to build a collaborative interprofessional student leadership structure between the two disciplines. This brief communication describes the growth and merger of occupational therapy services and student leadership into an established physical therapy student-run pro bono clinic. A process evaluation was used to guide and assess the evolution of this merger. A blended student leadership model emerged that will serve as a template for the merger of other future health professional student-leadership services within the clinic. This model may be useful to others who wish to shift from siloed services and leadership to blended student leadership and services.