Surveys/Research

To promote opportunities in research activities and online surveys relating to occupational therapy, the Society offers space in OSOT's weekly member update email to all OSOT members which includes project descriptions and links to online surveys. In addition, the Society will post this information to the OSOT website and one social media post.

For more details and to send in your research survey for publication, please see our order form.

The following posts have been purchased by the researchers to access OSOT membership. While posting does not imply OSOT partnership or sponsorship, we encourage members to participate!

Drawing on Occupational Therapists’ Practice Knowledge to Inform Clinical Reasoning and Promote Equity: A Qualitative Exploratory Pilot Study 

Principal Investigator: Sandra VanderKaay, PhD, OT Reg. (Ont.), Assistant Professor Scientist, CanChild, School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, vandes22@mcmaster.ca 

Associate Investigators: 

  • Dr. Wenonah Campbell, Associate Professor, School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University
  • Dr. Annie Carrier, Professeure agrégée, École de réadaptation, Faculté de médecine et des sciences de la santé, Université de Sherbrooke
  • Shaminder Dhillon, Assistant Professor, School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University
  • Dr. Stella Ng, Director and Scientist, University of Toronto Centre for Interprofessional Education at University Health Network

Purpose and description of study:
You are being invited to participate in a research study conducted by Sandra VanderKaay in the School of Rehabilitation Science at McMaster University. The purpose of the study is to explore how occupational therapists who self-identify as part of an equity-deserving group and who work with clients from equity-deserving groups draw on their practice knowledges (i.e., epistemologies of practice) to inform clinical reasoning in a way that promotes equity.

We are seeking participants to participate in 1:1 interviews who: (a) are registered in their province or territory of practice, (b) self-identify as belonging to equity-deserving group(s), (c) are able to critically reflect on their positionality, (d) are able to critically reflect on and explain their clinical reasoning, (e) are comfortable answering potentially sensitive questions, (f) work with clients (ideally client populations) that are traditionally equity-deserving, and (g) are French or English speaking.

Your participation in the study is entirely voluntary and you can withdraw at any time.
 
Results of this study will inform a research grant proposal for a larger-scale study aimed at developing an equity-informed clinical reasoning framework/practice guidelines for occupational therapists that promotes health equity for all Canadians particularly those from equity-deserving groups. This research will not only provide valuable pilot data but will also support refinements of sampling strategy, interview guide, and data analysis.
 
Please contact Sandra VanderKaay at vandes22@mcmaster.ca if you have any questions or are interested in participating in the study.

Deadline to participate: June 30, 2023

Dietary Counselling Plus Omega-3 Supplementation in the Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Principal Investigator: Dr. Monique Aucoin ND MSc, Senior Research Fellow, Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine 

Associate Investigators: 

  • Dr. Laura LaChance MD, Psychiatrist, Assistant Professor, McGill University
  • Dr. Inge van der Wurff PhD, Assistant Professor, Open University of the Netherlands 
  • Dr. Kieran Cooley ND, Director of Research, Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine 

Purpose and description of study:
Emerging evidence suggests that diet is an important modifiable risk factor in the development and treatment of depression. Less is known about the role of healthy eating in the treatment of anxiety disorders. We are conducting a pilot study to test the effects of dietary modification and omega-3 supplementation in patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). This study is a randomized, waitlist-controlled study providing 12 weeks of biweekly one-on-one dietary counselling sessions plus omega-3 supplementation.

Half of the participants will begin the program immediately; the other half will complete a 12-week waitlist period, and then complete the program. Participants will complete questionnaires and blood tests before and after completing the program. We will assess for feasibility and acceptability of the program and any changes in anxiety symptoms, self-efficacy, quality of life and blood test results. Participants receive an honorarium and some shelf-stable food items. 

We welcome Ontario occupational therapists to consider participating or to share this opportunity with their clients. Eligible participants must be: (1) 18 to 65-year-old women (self-identified) who have moderate to severe GAD (2) No diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorder, eating disorder or substance use disorder, (3) Not currently engaged in diet counselling or diet modification (4) Able to attend 3-4 study visits in North York (Toronto). 

Deadline to participate: Approximately March 31, 2023 (or when 50 participants have completed enrollment).

Participate in the study.

Contact Monique Aucoin if you have any questions. 

Ethical Tensions in Transitioning to Tiered Models of School-Based Occupational Therapy in Ontario

Principal Investigator: Sandra VanderKaay, PhD, OT Reg. (Ont.), Assistant Professor Scientist, CanChild, School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, vandes22@mcmaster.ca 

Associate Investigators: 

  • Wenonah Campbell, PhD, Assistant Professor, School of Rehabilitation Science, Scientist, CanChild, John and Margaret Lillie Chair in Childhood Disability Research, McMaster University, campbelw@mcmaster.ca
  • Leah Dix, MSc, OT Reg. (Ont.), Project Manager, CanChild, McMaster University, dixlm@mcmaster.ca
  • Sandra Sahagian Whalen, MHSc, OT Reg. (Ont.), Clinical Research Implementation Specialist, CanChild, McMaster University, sandrasw3014@gmail.com 
  • Stephanie Ellis, OT Reg. (Ont.), Chief of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Services, York Region District School Board, stephanie.ellis@yrdsb.ca

Purpose and description of study:
You are invited to participate in a research study conducted by Sandra VanderKaay in the School of Rehabilitation Science at McMaster University. The purpose of the study is to explore the ethical tensions experienced by occupational therapists transitioning from traditional approaches (i.e.: taking child out of the classroom) to school-based occupational therapy to tiered service delivery, and to identify the appropriate practice support needs for addressing ethical tensions.

We are seeking occupational therapists who self-identify as: (a) registered in Ontario, (b) working in a school-based occupational therapy context that is transitioning or transitioned to a tiered model, (c) comfortable answering potentially sensitive questions about ethical tensions in practice, (d) willing to critically reflect on and explain ethical decision-making including identifying any required supports, (e) and English speaking.

Participation will involve a one-to-one interview either in person, on Zoom, or by telephone. In addition, participants will be invited to attend a focus group to discuss and refine findings. Your participation in the study is entirely voluntary and you can withdraw at any time.

Results of this study will increase knowledge and awareness regarding the ethical tensions experienced by occupational therapists transitioning to tiered models and inform the development of practice supports.
 
Please contact Sandra VanderKaay at vandes22@mcmaster.ca if you have any questions or are interested in participating in the study.

Deadline to participate: July 30, 2023 

Ethical Challenges and Moral Distress Experienced by Occupational Therapists in Forensic Mental Health

Principal Investigator: Kevin Reel, MSc (Medical Ethics), OT Reg (Ont), Assistant Professor (status only), Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto

Co-Investigators: Summer Hart and Gina Desatnik 

Purpose and description of study:

As part of a research project on the ethical challenges and moral distress in forensic mental health practice, researchers are looking to conduct 30-60 minute interviews with occupational therapists (OTs) with previous or current employment experience as an OT in forensic mental health (FMH) in Ontario. 

The goal of the study is to gain an understanding of OTs' experiences navigating ethical challenges and moral distress from their own perspective. Ethical challenges refer to situations where one does not know how to act in the best way, while moral distress refers to the psychological impact of making or witnessing decisions that contravene one’s moral values (Hem et al., 2018; Macedo et al., 2022).   

There is a need to better understand the challenges faced by OTs, and researchers want to bring more awareness to OTs in this practice area and identify potential supports for OTs in navigating these issues.  

This study is being conducted by a student research team from the Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy at the University of Toronto with Kevin Reel, Assistant Professor (status only), in the role of Principal Investigator. 

Interviews will be conducted over Zoom (with the option of audio only) at a time that is most convenient to you. Interviews will be conducted by our two student investigators.

Target audience for participation: Occupational therapists registered in Ontario with any level of previous or current employment experience as an OT in forensic mental health in Ontario.

Deadline to participate: March 2023

For more information or to participate, please contact Summer Hart or Gina Desatnik.