Administration of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure: effect on practice.

Background: The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) is recommended as a systematic approach to identify issues and determine client progress in occupational therapy, yet little empirical evidence is available that supports this practice.

Purpose: To determine if COPM administration was associated with changes in eight dimensions of occupational therapy practice.

Methods: Twenty-four occupational therapists on eight geriatric rehabilitation sites completed a before-and-after study with a repeated baseline. The eight practice dimensions were assessed after three months of usual care (no COPM use) and after three months of intervention (COPM use) using chart stimulated recall (CSR) interviews and chart audit.

Findings: Mean practice scores for CSR interviews indicated a statistically significant practice improvement (p < .0001) across the eight dimensions, including knowledge of client perspective, clinical decision making, clinician ability to articulate outcomes, and documentation. Chart audit indicated that COPM use resulted in identifying more occupation-focused issues.

Implications: COPM administration could improve occupational therapy practice.