An interprofessional role-emerging placement in HIV rehabilitation

People with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are living for longer with a variety of impairments and disabilities that are amenable to rehabilitation interventions. This article presents an interprofessional model of clinical education in which an occupational therapy student and a physiotherapy student worked together to develop an emerging role for their professions in the management of HIV in a community health centre. Students developed a consultation model that focused on self-management of HIV-related disability. Students were able to provide mutual support to each other as they designed a joint assessment process and educational materials for people living with HIV. This model of clinical education successfully integrated three innovative educational elements: a role-emerging placement, interprofessional education and HIV care. Careful planning and selection of students for this type of placement is essential for its success.