Research Priorities in Forensic Occupational Therapy

Abstract

National research priorities have been developed and published by the College of Occupational Therapists (Ilott and White 2001). Such an exercise, however, cannot provide the specific research priorities of a particular area of practice. A questionnaire survey was undertaken to ascertain the specific research priorities of forensic occupational therapists. The survey had three parts: determining research priorities, examining outcome measures and exploring the use of protocol-driven group work. Three specific research priorities were clearly defined by part one of the survey: the development of appropriate outcome measures, the development of rigorous and effective group-work programmes and the development of effective risk assessment tools. The nominal group technique was used in order to triangulate the data. The survey also examined the participants' use of outcome measures: a high number of the participants (62%, 44/71) stated that they used outcome measures in practice. The participants' responses to the third aspect of the survey, regarding the use of protocol-driven groups, were more varied. The majority of the groups reported by the participants were ‘home grown’, with little research base underpinning their implementation. The methodological weaknesses of undertaking such a survey are examined. The paper concludes that having identified clinicians' priorities in forensic occupational therapy research, the challenge is how best to gather robust evidence for practice.

Investigating the purpose of an online discussion group for health professionals: a case example from forensic occupational therapy

“…This does not appear to have occurred. The reasons for this cannot be drawn out of the current study, however it suggests that whilst social media platforms do lessen professional isolation and increase communication, this alone is insufficient to change certain behaviours, such as the lack of collaborative research activity within forensic occupational therapy [24]. …”

A qualitative study of service user experiences of occupation in forensic mental health

“…Participants had clear messages to inform the development of an occupational perspective and occupational therapy in the forensic setting (Duncan et al. , 2003).…”

“…Individual goals have to underpin participation in therapy programmes, requiring effective therapeutic relationships. Programmes in the forensic setting tend to be group‐based, with limited appeal (Duncan, Munro & Nicol, 2003; Farnworth et al. ; O’Connell & Farnworth, 2007) and hence this research emphasised occupation in every aspect of participants’ lives, including and beyond group programmes and sustaining a perspective of people as occupational beings (Cronin‐Davis et al.…”

“…Providing opportunities is not enough: it is necessary to engage directly with individuals and communities to explore what is potentially meaningful (Helbig & McKay, 2003). These concepts informed this study, which sought to contribute to the evidence base for occupational therapy and responding to the visions for research in this setting in the United Kingdom (College of Occupational Therapists 2002; Duncan et al. , 2003).…”

Forensic Occupational Therapy in Canada: The Current State of Practice

“…A large proportion of occupational therapy research originates from the United Kingdom. For example, Duncan et al's () survey of 110 United Kingdom forensic occupational therapists identified research priorities of risk assessment, outcome measurement and intervention effectiveness. Yet, the dearth of assessments and measures specific to forensic occupational therapy continue to hinder effective practice (Duncan et al ., ).…”