Therapists’ experience of the cognitive orientation to daily occupational performance (CO-OP) approach: Shifting from conventional practice

Abstract

Background: The CO-OP Approach^TM has been increasingly used in research and practice, yet its critical elements and implementation challenges are largely undescribed. Obtaining therapists’ perspectives on CO-OP may reveal insights into potential critical and mediating factors.

Aim/Objective: To explore the experiences of CO-OP therapists by understanding their perceptions on the approach compared with conventional practice, and by identifying mediating factors in its implementation.

Material and Method: This exploratory study utilized a qualitative descriptive design. A purposive sample of occupational therapists (n = 3) was interviewed. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis and themes were validated within a focus group.

Results/Findings: Three themes were identified: ‘CO-OP works,’ ‘CO-OP delivery is mediated by contextual factors,’ and ‘CO-OP shifts the therapeutic approach.’ Therapists perceived CO-OP to be efficacious for client-centred goal attainment. Guided discovery and the problem-solving strategy were identified as unique and challenging CO-OP elements. Mediating factors such as level of cognitive impairment and quality of family member involvement may affect CO-OP efficacy.

Conclusions: Therapists found CO-OP to be efficacious and adopted unique elements into their professional approaches.

Significance: This is the first study to investigate CO-OP therapists’ experiences. Future research is recommended to enhance training of therapists in key CO-OP features.

Keywords:

• CO-OP
• brain injury
• strategy training
• rehabilitation
• cognition
• qualitative methods

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the therapists for their willingness to share their perspectives generously.

Funding

The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.