Community-Working Occupational Therapists' Involvement in Research and Development Projects in Norway

Area of Science:

• Occupational Therapy
• Community Health Services
• Research and Development

Background:

• Occupational therapists in community settings play a vital role in service delivery.
• Understanding their engagement in research and development (R&D) is essential for practice advancement.
• Limited data exists on the extent and nature of R&D involvement among community-based occupational therapists.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the involvement of community-based occupational therapists in Norway in research and development (R&D) projects.
• To identify factors associated with participation in R&D activities.
• To understand current and prioritized research areas and knowledge gaps.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey design was employed.
• Data collected from 617 occupational therapists working in community-based services in Norway.
• 117 participants reported involvement in R&D projects.

Main Results:

• Occupational therapists with further education were more likely to participate in R&D.
• Key research topics included professional development and service design.
• Areas needing more knowledge were service/quality development, rehabilitation, and technology.

Conclusions:

• Further education is important for increasing occupational therapists' engagement in R&D.
• R&D involvement is crucial for enhancing the quality of occupational therapy practice in community settings.
• Fostering a research-informed practice is vital for the growth of occupational therapy.