Project Management and Entrepreneurship in Occupational Therapy

In order to follow a pedagogical model centered on the student and oriented towards the development of professional skills in the area of Occupational Therapy, the following teaching methods are proposed:
Theoretical classes: demonstrative, interrogative (e.g. brainstorming), reflective (storytelling and presentation of narratives told in the first person), and provision of theoretical support resources on a web learning platform with resources in various formats and examples of various projects;
Theoretical-practical classes: active method, learning by doing, following a design thinking methodology (focused on problem solving) to build and prepare a project proposal. This is how they learn agile methodologies by experiencing them.
Experimenting with different methodologies will, on the one hand, respond to the students’ different learning profiles and, at the same time, they themselves will be able to apply them in their collaborations on future projects and in their professional activity as occupational therapists

Learning outcomes: students are expected to demonstrate competence in designing a project based on an innovative idea supported by the identification of needs within the scope of Occupational Therapy intervention. That students learn to solve complex problems as a team. 
Skills to communicate with external entities, such as partners and non-professionals. 
Students who obtain a minimum grade of 10 (ten) points, rounded up, are considered to have passed this course unit.
Continuous assessment:
Written report (individual) theoretical basis (40%); Intervention project (group) (40%); Oral exam presentation of the project (20%)
Normal/resit/special exam period: Intervention project (individual) (70%) and oral exam (30%)
In accordance with the Academic Regulations for the 1st Cycle of Studies of the School of Health Technology of the Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, available for consultation at https://www. estesc.ipc.pt/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Regulamento-Academico-1o-Ciclo_ESTeSC_-Homologado_signed_20230720.pdf

Understand, carry out and demonstrate responsibility and autonomy in project management.
Demonstrate critical knowledge, apply and critically reflect on intersectionality, processes of social inclusion and exclusion, areas of intervention, policies and systems, make informed judgments and contribute to social challenges.
To foster an entrepreneurial spirit in future occupational therapists.
Promote the occupational therapy profession and the value of occupation by identifying the importance of creating sustainable communities.
Understand, apply effectively, demonstrate responsibility and respect in communication processes and information technologies.
Understand, establish and respect effective and sustainable professional and non-professional relationships, partnerships and collaboration.
Know, apply and responsibly use approaches, methods, tools and requirements to promote the continuous evolution of practice in response to society’s needs.

Entrepreneurship in Occupational Therapy:
Identification of business opportunities in the field of occupational therapy.
Business models, feasibility plans, strategic and communication plans.
Innovation and development of community services.
Lines of funding and support for entrepreneurship
Private therapy activity and its legal frameworks
Fundamentals of project management:
Project management: projects, programs
Basic concepts and the life cycle of a project.
Project planning and control tools and techniques.
Resource management and risk assessment.
Agile methodologies in project management
Quality management methodologies
Sustainability in health and social intervention projects.
Sustainable development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Designing applied projects in occupational therapy:
Defining objectives and goals.
Structuring action plans and timetables.
Impact assessment and success indicators in occupational therapy projects.

NAO