Instructions for Administering the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure with Children Themselves

Abstract

Aims

The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) can be used to support children to clarify their needs themselves. However, for pediatric occupational therapists it is not sufficiently clear how to effectively use the COPM with children from 8 years of age.

This study aimed to formulate specific instructions for using the COPM with children themselves, based on the experience of children, parents, and occupational therapists. In addition, professional consensus on the instructions was reached.

Methods

A multi-stage approach was used to develop the instructions. Triangulation of methods was used to gather knowledge of how the COPM with children themselves is performed in daily practice: interviews with 23 children, questionnaires completed by 30 parents, interviews with 13 therapists, and 10 video recordings of COPM administration. Specific instructions were derived from this knowledge and consensus for these instructions was reached by Delphi method.

Results

The data were analyzed and resulted in 40 specific instructions. Consensus of at least 80% amongst 10 occupational therapists, who regularly use the COPM with children, was achieved on each instruction.

Conclusion

There is consensus on 40 specific instructions for administering the COPM with children. Following these instructions might help children to formulate their own goals for intervention.

Keywords:

• Children
• COPM
• goal-setting
• occupational therapy
• outcome measure

Acknowledgements

We sincerely thank the children, parents and occupational therapists who participated in this study. We thank Anita Beelen for her help with the design of the study and Debbie Kramer-Roy for proof reading and language support.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by HandicapNL grant 30.331 euro; Johanna Child Fund (Johanna Kinderfonds) grant 20.221 euro; Foundation Child Fund Adriaan foundation (Stichting KinderFonds Adriaanstichting) grant 10.110 euro; and 26.692 euro by AmsterdamUMC. The funding agencies did not influence in any way data collection, data analysis or the drafting of this manuscript.