The clinical utility of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure

A qualitative research project was undertaken to investigate the clinical utility of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) among therapists from the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton's Home Care Programme. Nineteen occupational therapists participated in one of four focus groups and in a plenary session to elicit reasons why some therapists used the COPM to assess clients and why others did not. The participants presented a wide range of opinions on the same theme, often from two polarities. The five themes that emerged from the focus groups and which were validated during the plenary session were: Use, environment, administration, outcome and suggested changes. The results demonstrated that COPM utility depended upon the degree to which therapists had incorporated the client-centred approach in their practice, the degree to which management valued and supported the use of the COPM and the degree to which the COPM could be flexible to fit practice context.