Clinical Utility of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation

Abstract

Introduction: Collaborative goal setting is an important part of the occupational therapy process in spinal cord injury rehabilitation. Little is known about the clinical utility of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) with this population, although it has potential advantages over informal methods of goal setting commonly used in a spinal injury unit (SIU). The aim of this study was to investigate the goal setting process and clinical utility of the COPM from the perspective of occupational therapists within a SIU. Method: A focus group was conducted with six occupational therapists working in a SIU to explore their experiences and use of goal setting and the COPM. Inductive thematic analysis identified key themes from their comments. Findings: Focus group themes were the impact of client adjustment and other factors, organisational and administrative factors, therapist skill level and experience requirements, benefits of the COPM and incorporating the COPM into practice. Conclusion: Formal goal setting was a concept that was identified as a priority by the participants; however, there were organisational, client and therapist related factors that were considered as both barriers and facilitators to formal goal setting and the use of the COPM in this setting.