Using Theory to Underpin an Integrated Occupational Therapy Service through the Canadian Model of Occupational Performance

The aim of this action research study was to embed the theoretical tenets of the Canadian Model of Occupational Performance and its structures in a way that was appropriate to, and would be used by, all staff within an integrated health and social care setting. The action research involved 10 phases of reflection and action, with data analysis occurring between the cycles.

The findings showed the importance of taking time to embed theory before implementing model structures in order to prevent those structures, and particularly the paperwork, becoming superficial. In addition, the importance of using theoretical structures (models) flexibly and adapting them to particular services was identified.

A more generally applicable finding was that occupational therapists can and should demonstrate their theory through their practice and that this can be done by using a model to illustrate their clinical and, more specifically, their conditional clinical reasoning (Mattingly and Fleming 1994). In addition, the demonstration of clinical reasoning proved vital in making the client-centred and occupational beliefs of the model overt.

It was concluded that implementing theory and using occupation-based literature (Williams and Bannigan 2008) in this way can take a long time but is worthwhile because it provides a sound and strong base for the profession's identity.