Academic-clinician partnerships: a model for outcomes research

SUMMARY While practitioners are now asked to provide evidence that supports the services we deliver, there is little empirical evidence concerning occupational therapy interventions. Research by clinicians is limited, often due to a lack of time, institutional support and research skills. Establishing collaborative research relationships between faculty, clinicians, and graduate students has been suggested as a means of addressing these barriers. Implementation of a model teaming students with clinicians to conduct outcomes studies is described. The model will be illustrated using a case example of a collaborative research project evaluating the efficacy of a home management skills program for individuals with chronic mental illness. The benefits and challenges of the collaborative process will be described.

Clinical outcomes research from the occupational therapist's perspective

With increasing costs and scarcity of resources, occupational therapists need to embrace outcomes research to demonstrate the effectiveness of its clinical interventions. To explore clinicians' perspectives on clinical outcomes research a qualitative study was undertaken involving three in-depth group interviews with 15 occupational therapists from the South Western Sydney Area Health Service. Five broad themes permeated participants' perception: (a) defining the process, (b) factors that impact on participation in clinical outcomes research, (c) organizational influences, (d) the value of clinical outcomes research, and (e) potential partnerships with academics. Three conceptual categories are identified: knowledge and understanding about clinical outcomes research, clinicians' experience conducting or participating in clinical outcomes research and the relevance of clinical outcomes research to occupational therapy clinical practice. Similarity to findings in the international literature on occupational therapists' engagement in clinical research suggests that the findings from this small sample of Australian therapists are robust. The implications of the findings for continuing professional education programmes and clinical supervision are presented.

Occupational therapy research priorities in mental health

This study used a Delphi survey method to identify research priorities of occupational therapists working in mental health. Twenty-two subjects were initially surveyed for their suggestions regarding research topics they thought were important. These 22 subjects represent a random sample of 12.4% of national OT-Australia membership of occupational therapists working in mental health. After three "rounds" of the Delphi methodology, consensus research priorities were obtained in six areas: research of value to clients (5 topics); research of value to occupational therapists working in mental health (4 topics); research related to providing community care for clients (2 topics); research that facilitates health promotion and disease prevention (6 topics); research that is of value to the profession of occupational therapy (6 topics); and research that is of value to occupational therapy education (4 topics). Implications for occupational therapy practice and re search are discussed.