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!

Adaptation of the Cognitive Orientation to Daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP) Intervention Protocol to Improve Parental Engagement
Primary Investigator: Julie Capistran, PhD student, MSc, BScOT, O.T. 
Co-Investigator: Rose Martini, PhD, OT Reg. (Ont.)
 
Study description: The aim of this doctoral project is to adapt the conventional Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP) protocol to facilitate and maximize the engagement of parents during the intervention process (in and outside therapy sessions), thus potentially increasing children’s generalization and transfer of learning outside of intervention sessions. 

If you are a therapist who uses or has used the CO-OP Approach in the past four years, we would love to hear from you. The therapist will have to participate in two virtual interviews of approximately one hour each hosted on Microsoft Teams. During the first interview, we will discuss the therapist experience with CO-OP and during the second we will collect their feedback on the adaptations we propose for the CO-OP protocol. However, depending on the feedback obtained, the participant may be asked to participate a third meeting to provide feedback on additional adaptations proposed.

The date and time of the first meeting will be determined based on the participant availability in June or July. 
 
Eligible participants will meet the following criteria:
  • Be an occupational therapist 
  • Have received the CO-OP training
  • Have used the CO-OP approach in the past four years with a pediatric clientele, with at least two clients
  • Have implemented all the essential elements of the CO-OP approach during the therapy sessions (based on the 11 items of the modified CO-OP fidelity checklist)
  • Be able to communicate in English or French
Participate: For more information about this study or if you are interested in participating, please contact Julie Capistran at jcapi027@uottawa.ca or 613-867-8922. 

Deadline to participate: July 31, 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
Acute Care Occupational Therapy and Fitness to Drive
Principal Investigator: Dr. Lilliana Alvarez, PhD, MSc, OT Reg. (Ont.), School of Occupational Therapy, Western University
Student: April Vander Veen, PhD Student, MSc. OT, OT Reg. (Ont.), Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Western University
 
Study description: In 2018, the Highway Traffic Act (1990) was amended to grant occupational therapists (OTs) the authority to report drivers to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation who may have a condition or impairment that may impact driving ability. A study undertaken shortly after the legislative changes revealed that OTs experience some uncertainties regarding this newfound responsibility, and that further research is needed to understand how OTs address driving in practice.

OTs work in a variety of contexts, with unique practice needs. As such, it is important to understand how this change affects individual practice areas. To date, little is known about the role of OTs in addressing fitness to drive in acute care hospital settings. Acute care settings are fast-paced environments, which may pose unique challenges for addressing driving.

The purpose of this study is to describe the actual practices of Ontario OTs in the acute care setting in terms of (1) what skills and knowledge are relevant, (2) how OTs have gained skills and knowledge, and (3) how competent OTs feel to address driving in practice.
 
Eligible participants: Participants are eligible if they are an Ontario occupational therapist practicing in a clinical role in an acute care setting, (i.e., general hospital) with adults 18 years of age or older. OTs who are on a leave of absence from acute care (i.e., parental, medical, or education leave) who are not currently practicing, but have practiced in acute care in the last 2 years are also eligible to participate. 
 
Survey Link to Participate

For more information about this study, please contact April Vander Veen, PhD Student, MSc. OT, OT Reg. (Ont.) at afrankr2@uwo.ca.

Deadline to participate: August 1, 2022
Occupational Therapy Innovation in Return to Work for Psychological Trauma 
Principal & Co-Investigators: Megan Edgelow, EdD, OT Reg. (Ont.), Queen’s University and Heidi Cramm, PhD, OT Reg. (Ont.), Queen’s University 
 
Study description: The aim of this research is to collect information about occupational therapy services that are provided to public safety personnel in Ontario who are off work due to psychological trauma (including diagnoses of PTSD, anxiety, and depression). Public safety personnel, sometimes referred to as first responders, include police officers, firefighters, paramedics, correctional officers, and dispatchers. The researchers want to capture the return to work experiences of public safety personnel as well as the experiences of occupational therapists providing return to work services to them. This study involves the completion of an online survey through a secure website. Completion of the survey is expected to take 10-20 minutes.
 
Target audience for participation: 
  • Ontario public safety personnel receiving occupational therapy services
  • Ontario occupational therapists who provide services to public safety personnel

Deadline to participate: June 15, 2022
Experiences of Moral Distress Among Occupational Therapists Working In Paediatrics in Navigating Pandemic Guidance on In-Person Therapy Provision
Principal & Co-investigators: 
Kevin Reel (Principal Investigator), MSc (Medical Ethics), OT Reg. (Ont.), Assistant Professor, University of Toronto 
Jessica Faith (Co-Investigator), OT Reg. (Ont.)
Japneet Brar (Student Co-Investigator), MScOT Candidate, University of Toronto
Helen Deng (Student Co-Investigator), MScOT Candidate, University of Toronto
 
Study Description: This study is looking for occupational therapists working in paediatrics in Ontario to explore experiences of moral distress in navigating pandemic guidance on in-person and remote therapy provision. Participants will be asked to complete a 10-20 minute anonymous online survey and consider an optional 30-40 minute confidential virtual interview.
 
Eligible participants will meet the following criteria:
  • Practiced occupational therapy in Ontario at least a minimum of 0.5 full-time equivalent hours throughout the year before the pandemic.
  • Continued or intended to continue seeing clients (virtually or in-person) during the pandemic.
  • Work in private and/or publicly funded settings (excluding hospitals) within the area of paediatrics.
  • Continued to work in a capacity where you must interpret public health guidelines and directives.

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    Survey Link to Participate

    For further information, please contact the Student Co-Investigators at ot.mdstudy@gmail.com.

    Deadline to participate:     May 30, 2022
    impACT of Developmental Coordination Disorder on Canadian Families 
    Principal & Co-investigators: Jill G. Zwicker, PhD, OT and Chantal Camden, pht, PhD

    Study Description: The goal of this research study is to adapt the “impact for DCD” survey created by Dr. Melissa Licari and her research team in Australia and implement it with parents of children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) across Canada. Results from the survey aim to improve national awareness and understanding of the physical, emotional and financial impact of DCD on the family and advocate for changes to provincial, territorial, and federal policy. Results will also help guide best-practice for occupational therapists when supporting children with DCD and their families. Questions in the survey provide detail on the child’s ability to participate in school, sports and other life activities, as well as the added challenges of long wait times for diagnosis and limited access to therapy. 

    The aims of this study are as follows:
    1. To describe how parents navigate the healthcare, school, and community systems when managing the challenges arising from their child’s motor coordination difficulties.
    2. To identify and quantify which rehabilitative services and support assist families to manage the challenges stemming from their child’s motor coordination difficulties.
    3. To identify and describe potential barriers and facilitators families encounter when attempting to procure services for diagnostic and rehabilitative supports.
    4. To describe the potential for caregiver burden arising from parenting a child with motor coordination challenges.

    Target audience for participation
    Parents of children (aged 5-18) with suspected or confirmed diagnosis of Developmental Coordination Disorder. The aim is for therapists to provide the survey link to families that meet the following inclusion criteria: 
    1. Primary residence of parent(s) and child(ren) is in Canada.
    2. Child(ren) must be under the age of 18 years with motor coordination challenges.
    3. These motor coordination challenges are not because of biological, genetic and/or developmental delays (e.g., cerebral palsy, Down’s syndrome, chromosomal abnormality, etc.).
    4. Child(ren) do not have to have a formal diagnosis of DCD, but are suspected of having the disorder.
    5. Child(ren) may have other co-occurring conditions that can include autism, ADHD, learning disabilities and/or speech language deficits.
    6. Parents can be biological, adoptive or guardian/caregiver.
    7. Parents need to be able to speak and read English or French.

    Survey Link - English

    Survey Link - French

    Response Deadline: May 2022