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Occupational Science Concepts Essential to Occupation-Based Practice: Development of Expert Consensus
Catherine L Backman1, Charles H Christiansen1, Barbara R Hooper2
1Catherine L. Backman, PhD, Reg. OT(BC), FCAOT, is Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy and Occupational Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Experts identified essential occupational science (OS) concepts for occupational therapy practice. This research provides a foundation for refining OS knowledge in education and practice.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Science
- Occupational Therapy
Background:
- The essential occupational science (OS) knowledge for occupational therapy (OT) practice remains underexplored.
- Systematic exploration is needed to define the core OS concepts relevant to OT.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and achieve expert consensus on OS concepts crucial for occupational therapy practice.
- To establish a foundational understanding of essential OS knowledge for OT.
Main Methods:
- Convergent mixed-methods Delphi design with an international panel of OS experts.
- Four rounds of concept generation and consensus rating, with parallel and full-group analyses.
- 52 experts from 22 countries participated over 14 months.
Main Results:
- Eleven OS concepts achieved consensus (≥70%) as essential to OT practice.
- Analysis revealed substantial expert agreement on key OS concepts.
- Comparison of parallel and full-group results identified conceptual similarities and differences.
Conclusions:
- Substantial expert agreement exists for several OS concepts vital to OT.
- This study provides a preliminary basis for curriculum development in OT education.
- The findings offer concepts for organizing OS knowledge relevant to OT practice.
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