Student Health Outreach for Wellness (SHOW): An Innovative Framework for Interprofessional Community-Engaged Learning with Vulnerable Populations

Authors

  • Kelly Ramella Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions, Arizona State University
  • Kaitlyn Félix College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University
  • Liz Harrell College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University
  • Karen Saewert Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Arizona State University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18666/TRJ-2025-V59-I2-12683

Keywords:

interprofessional education, community-engaged learning, recreational therapy, therapeutic recreation, nursing, undergraduate students, vulnerable populations

Abstract

This paper offers insights for enhancing therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy (TR/RT) education by leveraging interprofessional community-engaged pedagogy. It explores how a curriculum, including academic-community partnerships, was established to create hands-on learning environments that foster the growth of discipline-specific and interprofessional competencies. Drawing from the experience of recreational therapy and nursing educators at Arizona State University, this paper outlines the design and implementation of three undergraduate courses creatively inspired by the Student Health Outreach for Wellness (SHOW) initiative. Informed by a decade of practice, it highlights strategies and recommendations for preparing students with team-based interprofessional competencies. The theoretical foundations, curriculum design, community partnerships, and assessment strategies offer practical guidance for faculty seeking to integrate interprofessional fieldwork learning experiences. 

Published

2025-05-14