Clinical utility of the Danish version of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure

Abstract

Background

The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) is intended to help clients identify and evaluate their occupational performance issues. As it enhances client-centred practice (CCP), more frequent use of the COPM might fulfill the political agenda of patient involvement in Denmark. However, in a study translating the COPM into Danish, challenges were found highlighting the need to study its clinical utility.

Aim

To examine the clinical utility of the Danish version of the COPM (COPM-DK) and help determine whether to recommend a more routinely use.

Methods

Data gathered during qualitative interviews with 16 occupational therapists (OTs) from various settings were subjected to a qualitative content analysis.

Results

The COPM-DK appeared to have clinical utility, especially regarding the meaning and relevance of the information obtained, and seemed to facilitate an occupational lens and CCP. The OTs’ difficulties and concerns when using the COPM and their personal and environmental commitment to the COPM seemed associated with how they performed the COPM. Thus, training was recommended to facilitate a valid and reliable use.

Conclusion

Given the benefits and the perceived utility of the COPM-DK, a more routinely use, to place OTs and CCP in the center of Danish healthcare system, is recommended.

Key Messages

• The utility of the Danish version of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure is supported, according to Danish occupational therapists in various rehabilitation settings and hospitals.

• Using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure seems to enhance a client-centred practice with collaborative goals and helps to establish partnership, being of value to the interdisciplinary team, too.

• The utility and acceptability of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure seemed to be linked to the occupational therapists’ experience and understanding of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure’s content and form, thus an introduction course is recommended to avoid a use that affects the assessment’s validity and reliability.

Keywords:

• Client-centred practice
• interdisciplinary collaboration
• goal-setting
• occupational therapy
• partnership
• rehabilitation

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to thank all of the occupational therapists included in this study for their participation in the research process.

Disclosure statement

None.

Additional information

Funding

Financial support by the University College Copenhagen, the University of Southern Denmark and the Danish Organization of Occupational Therapy, grant no. R19-A697 is gratefully acknowledged.