Vitality in the neighborhood (VIEW)

Introduction<br/>The Netherlands is changing from a welfare to a participation society in which citizens themselves are responsible for their health. However, this is not accessible to every citizen, resulting in an increase in marginalized vulnerable groups, often with a migrant background with problems in health, debt, addiction and poor housing. Within the Health Faculty, there is a lack of training students to become interprofessional professionals in community-based health promotion in the urban diverse environment.<br/><br/>Objectives<br/>An educational innovation has been started, based on the theory of positive health and social determinants of health, using design thinking as methodology. This educational innovation enriches interprofessional collaboration and intercultural communication competences of students and prepares students for their future role as health professionals in urban settings.<br/><br/>Approach<br/>Developing community-based education as a continuous learning line in the curricula of all bachelor courses (Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Nursing) based on a sustainable assignment portfolio of citizen challenges in the urban environment.<br/><br/>Result/Practice implications<br/>A total of 84 students participated in interprofessional education teams. They learned to use each other's expertise to devise 'citizen-oriented' solutions for health promotion. Until now, the students have focused on complex challenges such as loneliness, liveability in and around high-rise flats, fall prevention for elderly and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle. <br/><br/>Conclusion<br/>Students carry out assignments and internships in the community for citizens with complex needs. The teaching staff supervises students in the community and local professionals and citizens enrich education focused on diversity and interprofessional health promotion.