Challenges in implementation of research methodology in community-based occupational therapy: the Housing Enabler example.
This paper focuses on challenges in implementation of research in community-based occupational therapy practice. Based on a two-year project in a south Swedish municipality aiming at studying implementation of structured assessment procedures in the housing adaptation process, the first purpose is to provide a detailed project description, and the second is to report on first results identifying challenges in implementation of research in practice. The project was managed following a non-profit marketing model involving activities based on user needs, e.g. assessment training, support visits, and seminars with the users, i.e. occupational therapists. In order to collect data on implementation challenges, a multidimensional approach was utilized. Involving all occupational therapists in the municipality under study, 422 housing adaptation cases were assessed by means of the Housing Enabler. Good inter-rater reliability was demonstrated (kappa=0.62), but large differences between districts in the municipality were seen. Qualitative analyses of diaries, e-mail correspondence and minutes from workshops and seminars elucidated three categories reflecting research implementation challenges: Utilizing research in practice is not straightforward; Utilizing information technology is demanding; and Establishing cooperation and communication is challenging. The results can be utilized for planning of research implementation projects in practice not used to scientific work.
Fänge
Agneta
A
Department of Health Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden. agneta.fange@med.lu.se
Risser
Ralf
R
Iwarsson
Susanne
S
D001107:Architectural Accessibility; D004779:Environment Design; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D040541:Marketing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015588:Observer Variation; D009788:Occupational Therapy; D009939:Organizations, Nonprofit; D012107:Research Design; D013548:Sweden