Occupational therapists as expert witnesses on work capacity.
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.
Allen
Shelley
S
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. shelley.allen@bigpond.com
Ownsworth
Tamara
T
Carlson
Glenys
G
Strong
Jenny
J
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