title: Occupational therapists as expert witnesses on work capacity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to explore the particular challenges for occupational therapists during their cross-examination as an expert witness on work capacity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Grounded theory methodology was used to collect and analyse data. Interviews were conducted with 31 participants with direct experience of occupational therapy work capacity assessments. Of these, 19 were occupational therapists, six were medical specialists and six were lawyers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All participant groups perceived that maintaining one's credibility in the witness box was of paramount importance. The occupational therapists identified 11 strategies that barristers may use to challenge their credibility as an expert witness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The three professional groups proposed practices that maintain occupational therapists' credibility as expert witnesses on the work capacity of personal injury claimants.
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. shelley.allen@bigpond.com
authors.forename: Shelley
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: Tamara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ownsworth
authors.forename: Glenys
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Carlson
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Strong
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004651:Employment / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005104:Expert Testimony / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033241:Lawyers; D008297:Male; D008511:Medicine; D008875:Middle Aged; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D024382:Professional Role; D036301:Qualitative Research; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation; D055815:Young Adult