Occupational Therapy Research in Canada. Report from the Association of Canadian Occupational Therapy University Programs

Abstract

The Association of Canadian Occupational Therapy University Programs held a workshop in May, 1988. The purpose of that discussion was to describe the current status and needs of occupational therapy research and to consider principles to direct further research. Currently, research in occupational therapy is very limited. The reasons for this lack of development are the isolation of present researchers, the small number of trained researchers, difficulty in obtaining external funding, and the inadequacy of quantitative research methodologies to answer questions in occupational therapy. This group presented a number of strategies intended to further the development of research in our profession. These strategies include increasing the number of trained researchers through the development of graduate programs in occupational therapy, use of varied methodologies, including quantitative and qualitative means, which fit the types of research questions asked. More collaboration is recommended which should increase successful procurement of external funding. Finally, occupational therapists are encouraged to focus research efforts on the specification and support of the scientific basisof our practice. The purpose of this paper is to describe the current status and needs of occupational therapy research in Canada, to bring forward for discussion principlesto direct future occupational therapy research and to state the position of the Association of Canadian Occupational Therapy University Programs (ACOTUP) on strategies to increase research productivity in occupational therapy.