Does the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) Capture the Complex Experiences of Cancer Survivors? A Mixed Methods Approach

Abstract

Occupational therapy practitioners are uniquely positioned to address the needs of cancer survivors. This study aimed to understand the complex needs of survivors using The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure and in-depth interviewing. A convergent, mixed methods approach was utilized with a purposive sample of 30 cancer survivors. The results indicate that while the COPM can be a practical tool to address basic occupational performance problems, the in-depth interviews exposed these challenges are intricately connected to identity, relationships, and roles. Implications for occupational therapy practitioners include a critical approach to evaluation and interventions to capture the complex needs of survivors.

Keywords:

• Canadian occupational performance measure
• cancer survivorship
• mixed methods

Additional information

Funding

This article was funded with financial support from the National Cancer Institute grants numbers U54CA202995, U54CA202997, and U54CA203000. There was no involvement from a pharmaceutical company or other corporate funder.

Notes on contributors

Cassandra A. Winters

Cassandra Winters is a clinical occupational therapist and a second year PhD student in the department of Disability Studies at University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). Her research interests include the experiences of cancer survivors and the intersection of motherhood and disability.

Hilary K. Marshall

Hilary Marshall is a licensed occupational therapist and holds a clinical doctorate from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Her research interests include healthcare access, cancer survivorship, diabetes care, and self-management.

David E. Victorson

David Victorson is a licensed clinical psychologist and Professor of Medical Social Sciences in the Feinberg School of Medicine, and Associate Director of the Cancer Survivorship Institute at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Survivorship Institute.

Rachel F. Adler

Rachel Adler is an associate professor in the Department of Computer Science at Northeastern Illinois University. Her research interests are in the areas of Human-Computer Interaction and Computer Science Education.

Susan Magasi

Susan Magasi is an associate professor in the Departments of Occupational Therapy and Disability and Human Development at the University of Illinois Chicago. Dr. Magasi’s community-engaged research is focused on health, cancer, and social participation equity for people with disabilities.