Psychometric Properties of the Occupation-Based Practice Assessment

Occupation generates better health outcomes, yet practitioners are unaware of their use its use in practice. The profession needs a psychometrically strong measure of occupation in practice. This study aimed to measure the interrater reliability of the Occupation-Based Practice Assessment (OBPA) and reliability between observer and self-administration.

The study took place in a 356-bed acute care teaching hospital in an urban midwestern U.S. city. Data collection captured all therapeutic interactions during full days of practice. This methodological design was used to establish the psychometric properties of the OBPA. Study participants included two volunteer full-time occupational therapists employed at least 6 months. Any therapists delivering group therapy or supervising students were not eligible to participate.The OBPA measures the use of occupation in practice and is grounded in the Dynamic Model of Occupation-Based Practice. The tool includes several scales to measure different aspects of practice. Preliminary research revealed excellent interrater reliability so researchers hypothesized favorable interrater reliability outcomes in this in-vivo study.

Fifty-four assessment interactions were measured yielding strong interrater reliability between observers at ICC = .843; p < .001. Self - observer reliability was good to excellent at ICC = .856, p < .001 for immediate self-assessment and ICC = .937; p < .001 for delayed self-assessment.

The OBPA is psychometrically strong for use in self-assessment, professional development, program evaluation, academia, and scientific inquiry, all in support of promoting increased use of occupation in practice.