Surveys/Research

To promote opportunities in research activities and online surveys relating to occupational therapy, the Society offers space in OSOT's weekly member update email to all OSOT members which includes project descriptions and links to online surveys. In addition, the Society will post this information to the OSOT website and one social media post.

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!

Delving Into the Clinical Competency of Occupational Therapists With Their Adult Clients Living With Sensory Impairment During Cognitive Screening Procedures

Principal Investigator: Walter Wittich, Associate Professor, School of Optometry, Université de Montréal

Purpose and description of study:
Researchers are exploring the various adaptations and accommodations occupational therapists report using when conducting cognitive screening tests with individuals living with hearing impairment, visual impairment, or dual sensory impairment. The purpose of the study is to determine whether practicing clinicians have strategies to meet the needs of individuals living with sensory impairment(s). Researchers would also like to know more about clinical decision-making process with these clients. The results will contribute to the development of guidelines and strategies for healthcare professionals to feel more competent and equipped to deal with these clinical groups. 

Target audience for participation:
Researchers are recruiting occupational therapists who are in public or private practice and who meet the following criteria:
  1. Be a registrant of the regulatory body for the province they practice in.
  2. Provide services to adults with hearing and/or visual impairments.
  3. Be able to read, respond and speak in English and/or French.
  4. Regularly administer cognitive tests to adult clients.

A first step in this project is to complete a short online questionnaire. The main objective of this questionnaire is to recruit occupational therapists who meet our eligibility criteria and who would be interested in participating in individual interviews or focus groups to share their knowledge and clinical experiences on how they administer cognitive screening tests to people living with hearing and/or visual impairments. If they are interested in being a part of these initiatives, we will collect their personal contact information through this survey in order to schedule an interview or a focus group at an appropriate time. Participation by interested clinicians is entirely voluntary. They also have the right to withdraw completely from the project at any time without providing a reason. All their information will remain confidential.

Link to survey:
Deadline to participate: July 31, 2023

Using Social Network Analysis to Understand Knowledge Translation in Child Development and Rehabilitation 

Principal Investigators: Dr. Kristy Wittmeier (MB) and Dr. Stephanie Glegg (BC) 

Purpose and description of study:
Researchers are conducting a national social network analysis survey to understand how groups of people involved in child development and rehabilitation connect with others to share and use knowledge. The overall goal of this work is to improve families’ access to safe, effective health care and knowledge. The findings can be used to create strategies and to support connections that help move knowledge into action. Learn more.

Target audience for participation:
This survey is for people who are involved in child development and rehabilitation in Canada, including family members and caregivers, health care providers, researchers, and knowledge translation support people.

Link to Survey

Deadline to participate: June 30, 2023

Drawing on Occupational Therapists’ Practice Knowledge to Inform Clinical Reasoning and Promote Equity: A Qualitative Exploratory Pilot Study 

Principal Investigator: Sandra VanderKaay, PhD, OT Reg. (Ont.), Assistant Professor Scientist, CanChild, School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, vandes22@mcmaster.ca 

Associate Investigators: 

  • Dr. Wenonah Campbell, Associate Professor, School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University
  • Dr. Annie Carrier, Professeure agrégée, École de réadaptation, Faculté de médecine et des sciences de la santé, Université de Sherbrooke
  • Shaminder Dhillon, Assistant Professor, School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University
  • Dr. Stella Ng, Director and Scientist, University of Toronto Centre for Interprofessional Education at University Health Network

Purpose and description of study:
You are being invited to participate in a research study conducted by Sandra VanderKaay in the School of Rehabilitation Science at McMaster University. The purpose of the study is to explore how occupational therapists who self-identify as part of an equity-deserving group and who work with clients from equity-deserving groups draw on their practice knowledges (i.e., epistemologies of practice) to inform clinical reasoning in a way that promotes equity.

We are seeking participants to participate in 1:1 interviews who: (a) are registered in their province or territory of practice, (b) self-identify as belonging to equity-deserving group(s), (c) are able to critically reflect on their positionality, (d) are able to critically reflect on and explain their clinical reasoning, (e) are comfortable answering potentially sensitive questions, (f) work with clients (ideally client populations) that are traditionally equity-deserving, and (g) are French or English speaking.

Your participation in the study is entirely voluntary and you can withdraw at any time.
 
Results of this study will inform a research grant proposal for a larger-scale study aimed at developing an equity-informed clinical reasoning framework/practice guidelines for occupational therapists that promotes health equity for all Canadians particularly those from equity-deserving groups. This research will not only provide valuable pilot data but will also support refinements of sampling strategy, interview guide, and data analysis.
 
Please contact Sandra VanderKaay at vandes22@mcmaster.ca if you have any questions or are interested in participating in the study.

Deadline to participate: June 30, 2023

Ethical Tensions in Transitioning to Tiered Models of School-Based Occupational Therapy in Ontario

Principal Investigator: Sandra VanderKaay, PhD, OT Reg. (Ont.), Assistant Professor Scientist, CanChild, School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, vandes22@mcmaster.ca 

Associate Investigators: 

  • Wenonah Campbell, PhD, Assistant Professor, School of Rehabilitation Science, Scientist, CanChild, John and Margaret Lillie Chair in Childhood Disability Research, McMaster University, campbelw@mcmaster.ca
  • Leah Dix, MSc, OT Reg. (Ont.), Project Manager, CanChild, McMaster University, dixlm@mcmaster.ca
  • Sandra Sahagian Whalen, MHSc, OT Reg. (Ont.), Clinical Research Implementation Specialist, CanChild, McMaster University, sandrasw3014@gmail.com 
  • Stephanie Ellis, OT Reg. (Ont.), Chief of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Services, York Region District School Board, stephanie.ellis@yrdsb.ca

Purpose and description of study:
You are invited to participate in a research study conducted by Sandra VanderKaay in the School of Rehabilitation Science at McMaster University. The purpose of the study is to explore the ethical tensions experienced by occupational therapists transitioning from traditional approaches (i.e.: taking child out of the classroom) to school-based occupational therapy to tiered service delivery, and to identify the appropriate practice support needs for addressing ethical tensions.

We are seeking occupational therapists who self-identify as: (a) registered in Ontario, (b) working in a school-based occupational therapy context that is transitioning or transitioned to a tiered model, (c) comfortable answering potentially sensitive questions about ethical tensions in practice, (d) willing to critically reflect on and explain ethical decision-making including identifying any required supports, (e) and English speaking.

Participation will involve a one-to-one interview either in person, on Zoom, or by telephone. In addition, participants will be invited to attend a focus group to discuss and refine findings. Your participation in the study is entirely voluntary and you can withdraw at any time.

Results of this study will increase knowledge and awareness regarding the ethical tensions experienced by occupational therapists transitioning to tiered models and inform the development of practice supports.
 
Please contact Sandra VanderKaay at vandes22@mcmaster.ca if you have any questions or are interested in participating in the study.

Deadline to participate: July 30, 2023