Surveys/Research

The Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists is committed to support occupational therapy research and will promote OSOT member participation in promoting research that support the development of knowledge about occupational therapy practice and/or occupational therapists.

To promote membership awareness of opportunities to participate in research activities relating to occupational therapy, the Society circulates a bi-monthly Supporting Occupational Therapy Research communique by email to all OSOT members (approximately 4,600 Ontario occupational therapists and student occupational therapists) which will include researchers’ project descriptions and any links to online surveys. In addition, the Society will post this information to OSOT's website and social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn).  

For more details and to send in your research survey for publication, please see our order form.

The following posts have been purchased by the researchers to access OSOT membership. While posting does not imply OSOT partnership or sponsorship, we encourage members to participate!

Role of Occupational Therapists Working with Populations with Early Onset Dementia or Mild Cognitive Impairment
Principal and Co-Investigators: Arlene Astell (PhD, CPsychol), Nirusa Nadesar (BSc, MSc Candidate), and Behdin Nowrouzi-Kia, PhD, OT Reg. (Ont.)
 
Study description: The purpose of this research is to investigate and identify occupational therapists' (OTs) role in maintaining the presence of individuals living with early onset dementia (EOD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in the workplace. The study will provide insight into the unique challenges these populations face related to continuing their employment after being diagnosed. Furthermore, explaining how OTs navigate these challenges and provide support through their role as a healthcare professional will be explored.

This study will allow OTs to complete an online survey through REDCap which should take a maximum of 20 minutes to complete. The survey will ask questions regarding some demographic information about the OT taking the survey, their training, and their experiences working with EOD/MCI populations.
 
Eligible participants: Registered occupational therapists from Canada and other countries, who have worked with individuals living with either early onset dementia or mild cognitive impairment.
 
Participate in the survey.

For more information about this study, please contact Nirusa Nadesar (BSc, MSc Candidate) at nirusa.nadesar@mail.utoronto.ca.
 
Deadline to participate: September 30, 2022
Evaluation of Virtual Care Services Offered to Children Across Ontario
Primary Investigator: Dr. Stelios Georgiades, McMaster University
Project Lead: Dr. Elyse Rosa, McMaster University
 
Study description: In this study we are evaluating virtual care offered by organizations across Ontario. We will be evaluating how the delivery and outcomes of virtual care provided by organizations across the province can inform future provision of services for children and their families. Information collected through this evaluation will allow us to focus both on the processes and outcomes of a variety of services and will importantly identify potential ways to enhance both program and service delivery, as well as a measurement of the resulting impact of these services. Participants will complete an online questionnaire and will receive a $20 gift card for their time.
 
Target audience for participation: 
  • English fluency in reading and writing
  • You are a service provider/practitioner who provides, or has in the past, virtual care or assessment of children under the age of 18 in Ontario OR
  • You are the parent/caregiver of a child under the age of 18 who receives care virtually, or has in the past, from an organization in Ontario
Participate: Please contact ekoeval@mcmaster.ca or 905-525-9140 ext. 21263 to participate.

Deadline to participate: August 2022
Understanding Transitions of Care Across the Care Journey for Older Adults With Complex Health and Social Needs: A Qualitative Multiple-Case Study
Principal Investigators: Dr. Sara Guilcher (PhD, PT) and Dr. Kerry Kuluski (PhD, MSW)
Co-Investigators: Dr. Walter Wodchis, Dr. Susan Bronskill, Dr. Kednapa Thavorn, Dr. Jeremiah Hwee 
 
Study description: The purpose of this research study is to understand experiences with transitions of care for persons with complex health and social needs, specifically for those with hip fractures. We will co-develop actionable recommendations for improving care transitions with patients, caregivers, healthcare providers, and decision-makers. 

We are conducting a concept mapping study, which involves three steps: brainstorming, sorting and rating, and mapping. Participants will be able to take part in one or all of the phases (all steps will be conducted virtually). The sessions will be based on the question: What do you think is needed to improve care transitions for hip fracture? Through these sessions, we will co-develop actionable recommendations to improve care transitions for persons with hip fracture. All participants will receive a $25 gift card for each step they take part in.
 
Target audience for participation: Healthcare providers who have experience with hip fracture and who are working in Ontario.

Participate: For more information, please contact our study team at transitions.study@utoronto.ca or Lauren Cadel at lauren.cadel@utoronto.ca or 437-247-3997.

Deadline to participate: August 2022