Profiling the Research Activities of Canadian Occupational Therapy and Occupational Science Faculty Members.

Background. There is a lack of knowledge on the scope and nature of the research by faculty members in occupational science (OS) and/or occupational therapy (OT) programs in Canada. Purpose. To describe the research activities of faculty members in these programs and directions. Method. A cross-sectional survey was distributed to 173 faculty members across all 14 Canadian OT that addressed: 1) research topics and methods, 2) populations, and 3) funding. Findings. Based on respondents (N = 121), research is focused on a range of topics and populations with most conducting qualitative research. Many conduct research examining the effectiveness of interventions, with few respondents focused on OS research. Federal and provincial grants agencies were the largest source of funding. Implications. Research topics studied were not always proportional to practice although emerging areas were being investigated that can expand the evidence base and scope of practice. Despite limited occupation-specific funding options, respondents were accessing funding from varied sources. Collaborations among faculty members, clinicians, and individuals with lived experience can create priorities for future OS and/or OT research in Canada.

Exploring the delivery of community rehabilitation services for older people in an urban Canadian setting: Perspectives of service providers, managers and health system administrators.

As the global population of older people increases, policies aimed at improving health care delivery for older people often include supports for ageing in place. Living in the community not only reduces institutionalisation but also improves quality of life and reduces health care costs. For older people, community rehabilitation offers the opportunity to preserve and maximise function while maintaining the ability to live in the community. However, limited research examines the delivery, coordination and integration of community rehabilitation services in health systems. Our case study explored the perspectives of service providers, managers and health system administrators on the strengths, limitations and gaps in community rehabilitation for older people in one Canadian urban health region. Using interpretive description and thematic analysis, we analysed interview data from: 16 service providers, eight managers and five health system administrators. Three themes were identified: (a) Limited Access to Programs and Services; (b) Need to Emphasise Promoting, Maintaining and Restoring Function; and (c) Lack of Flow Across the System. Participants highlighted that restrictive eligibility criteria limited access to services. Services were organised around health conditions that did not address the needs of older people. Long waitlists meant that services were delayed. Transportation costs limited participation of individuals from lower socioeconomic status (SES). Age restrictions did not reflect differences in the ageing process and the health inequities individuals from lower SES groups experienced. There was a lack of emphasis in community rehabilitation programs on maintaining or restoring function in older people, which is the primary focus of rehabilitation. Furthermore, key stakeholders stressed the need for strengthening the integration of service delivery across the continuum of care. The findings underscore the need to develop a conceptual framework for community rehabilitation to promote greater system integration, access and availability of services and to optimise functional outcomes for older people.

An occupational therapy community development practice process.

BACKGROUND.: Little research has focused on the application of the Canadian Practice Process Framework (CPPF) to occupational therapists' work in community development (CD). PURPOSE.: This study sought to describe Canadian occupational therapists' CD practice processes. METHOD.: Using interpretive description, Canadian occupational therapists engaged in CD practice participated in an initial interview and follow-up interview or focus group. Content analysis was used to analyze the data. FINDINGS.: Eight occupational therapists participated in describing a process that focused on five key elements: (1) getting to know the community, (2) getting the ball rolling/planning together, (3) building (upon) occupational opportunities, (4) revisiting the approach, and (5) striving for sustainability. These elements occurred within a practice context and frames of reference related to CD practice. IMPLICATIONS.: Participants outlined a process that was less discrete than the CPPF and highlighted the knowledge and skills needed along with the less tangible attitudes/approaches required to engage with communities.

Occupational therapy in primary care: Results from a national survey: L'ergothérapie dans les soins primaires : Résultats d'un sondage national.

BACKGROUND.: To support integration of occupational therapy in primary care and research in this area, it is critical to document examples of occupational therapy in primary care. PURPOSE.: This study describes occupational therapy roles and models of practice used in primary care. METHOD.: An electronic survey was sent to occupational therapists across Canada. Participants were identified using purposive and snowball sampling strategies. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. FINDINGS.: Respondents ( n = 52) were almost exclusively working on interprofessional teams. Intervention was provided most frequently to individual clients, and services were provided both within the home/community and in the clinic. Occupational therapists offered a range of health promotion and prevention services, predominantly to adults and older adults. A number of supports and barriers to the integration of occupational therapy were identified. IMPLICATIONS.: A growing number of occupational therapists are working in primary care providing a broad range of services across the life span.

Preparing for community development practice: A Delphi study of Canadian occupational therapists

BACKGROUND: Increasingly, community development is recognized as an important process for occupational therapy practice. However, occupational therapists working in community development report feeling unprepared. PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify the knowledge, skills, and experiences that occupational therapists need for practice in community development. METHOD: Using the Delphi technique, the researchers developed statements from the Round 1 (n = 8) responses of occupational therapists involved in community development practice or scholarship. Rounds 2 (n = 14) and 3 (n = 12) sought to establish consensus among the occupational therapists on the areas of focus. FINDINGS: Participants rated the importance of 64 statements grouped into 11 domains. After three rounds, researchers eliminated six statements by analyzing the median, interquartile range, and percentage of agreement. Participants reached consensus on 58 statements. IMPLICATIONS: Many of the competencies identified were relevant to all areas of practice, while others were specific to community development, suggesting a need for specialized education and training in this area. The results provide information that can be used to enhance the preparation of occupational therapists for practice in community development.

Advancing the use of theory in occupational therapy: a collaborative process.

BACKGROUND: Theory is important to the growth and evolution of occupational therapy. However, use of theory remains challenging for many therapists. PURPOSE: The aim was to develop a process that occupational therapists could apply to advance theory in practice. METHOD: Based on a review of the literature and using a qualitative instrumental case study design, 18 student occupational therapists and eight fieldwork educators completed online modules on the theory advancement concepts generated from the literature, wrote journals, and/or participated in online discussions during fieldwork. Following fieldwork, educators were interviewed and students participated in focus groups exploring their experiences. Directed content analysis was used to analyze the data. FINDINGS: Based on the data collected, we developed the Theory Advancement Process (TAP). The TAP is composed of four primary contexts, a climate of collaborative relationships with four key elements, and four essential processes. IMPLICATIONS: The TAP presents a collaborative process for students, faculty, and therapists to work together to advance the use of theory in practice.

Re-examining concepts of occupation and occupation-based models: occupational therapy and community development.

BACKGROUND: A growing body of literature supports the role of occupational therapists in community development. Using a community development approach, occupational therapists respond to community-identified occupational needs. They work to build local resources and capacities and self-sustaining programs that foster change within the community and potentially beyond. PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to highlight some key issues related to occupational therapy practice in community development. KEY ISSUES: The definitions and classifications of occupation focus primarily on the individual and fail to elaborate on the shared occupations of a community. As well, occupation-based models of practice are not easily applied to occupational therapy practice in community development. IMPLICATIONS: In order for occupational therapy to articulate its role in community development, greater heed needs to be given to the definition and categorization of occupation, occupation-based models of practice, and their application to communities.