Descriptive evaluation of community based children's occupational therapy services using COPM.

Abstract

Background: Community occupational therapy forms a critical primary health service in supporting the development of young children. This study aims to explore characteristics of service provision, parent rated outcomes and the relationship between dosing and service outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective file review was completed to examine the services received by 60 children, aged 0-6 (mean age 3.8 years). Characteristics of service provision were described. Parent-reported performance and satisfaction scores of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) before and after the intervention were compared. Spearman rank order correlation was used to explore the relationship between intervention "dose" and therapy outcomes.

Results: Most children (n = 51; 85%) received individual therapy for handwriting and motor skills. The average wait time was 26.4 weeks (SD = 19.0). Results of COPM showed improvements in both performance and satisfaction scores (ps < 0.001). Spearman rank order correlation showed no relationship between dosing and outcomes. This study has reported the predominant service provision around handwriting and motor skills with a long wait time.

Conclusion: Findings may assist in future service development, including the service to be provided, considering wait times and equity considerations. Further work is needed to explore what dosage yields the best outcomes.