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!

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.

DevelOPment and evaluaTion of a toolkIt to iMprove medicAtion self-management for persons with spinaL cord injury (OPTIMAL-SCI)

Principal Investigator: Dr. Sara Guilcher (PhD, PT) 

Purpose and description of study:
The purpose of this research study is to co-develop, test, and evaluate a toolkit intervention that aims to improve medication self-management for persons with spinal cord injury. Researchers at the University of Toronto will co-develop the toolkit intervention with persons with spinal cord injury, caregivers, healthcare providers, and organization leaders. 

Researchers are conducting a concept mapping study, which involves three steps: brainstorming, sorting and rating, and mapping. Participants will be able to take part in one or all of the phases (all steps will be conducted virtually). The sessions will be based on the question: If a resource (e.g., toolkit) was being developed to help persons with spinal cord injury manage their medications, what should it include? Through these sessions, we brainstorm ideas around the content and delivery to help with the development of the toolkit. All participants will receive a gift card for each step they take part in. Individuals who participate in all three steps of concept mapping will be entered in a draw to win a $200 Amazon gift card.

Target audience for participation: Health and social care providers who have experience with spinal cord injury and who are working in Canada.

Deadline to participate: February 2023

Participate in the study.

For more information: Email medsci.study@utoronto.ca or contact Lauren Cadel at lauren.cadel@utoronto.ca or 437-247-3997.

Opinions and Perspectives of Canadian Occupational Therapists’ on Artificial Intelligence

Principal Investigator: Tal Jarus, PhD, OT (C), Professor, Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, University of British Columbia 

Co-Investigators: Minnie Teng, Clinical Instructor, Faculty of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of British Columbia, Julia Schmidt, PhD, OT, Professor, Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of British Columbia, Parmeet Matharu, Graduate Student, Faculty of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of British Columbia, and Elizabeth Pertsev, Graduate Student, Faculty of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of British Columbia

Purpose and description of study:
Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasing its role in occupational therapy assessment and intervention, yet there is no current literature on occupational therapists’ (OTs) perspectives or opinions on AI and its impact on current and future OT practice. This project is focused on exploring the current perspectives and knowledge of registered Canadian OTs about AI through a nationwide survey and focus groups. The collection of this data will help with future navigation and implementation of AI in occupational therapy practice that aligns with the profession’s values and ethics to advance occupational therapy in Canadian healthcare. 

This will be a mixed methods study consisting of online surveys and focus groups. Participants will be registered OTs who currently practice in Canada. The survey will be available in both English and French and will include questions on demographics and participants’ opinions and knowledge of AI. After completing the survey, participants will be invited to participate in an optional focus group with other participants at a future date. The focus group will discuss participants’ perceptions and knowledge about AI, AI’s implementation in occupational therapy, potential benefits and risks, and the future of AI in occupational therapy. 

Deadline to participate: December 11, 2022 at 11:59pm PST

Survey Link