title: Forensic Occupational Therapy in Canada: The Current State of Practice.
abstract: Although occupational therapists have been practicing in forensic settings for many years, there is a paucity of literature regarding the nature of this practice in Canada. The purpose of this study was to describe the practices of Canadian occupational therapists in forensic mental health. An online survey was designed based on the Canadian Practice Process Framework. Following purposive and snowball sampling, responses were analysed with descriptive statistics and content analysis. Twenty-seven clinicians responded (56% response rate). Respondents indicated commonalities in workplaces, client caseloads and practice challenges. The outstanding need in Canada to demonstrate client outcomes through the use of evaluation instruments reflects those practice gaps identified internationally. Education, advocacy and research are critical areas for the development of Canadian forensic occupational therapy. Although findings heavily reflect one provincial context and may not be generalizable to nonhospital settings, a number of priority areas were identified. Future efforts should clarify the role of forensic occupational therapy to stakeholders, and validate their contributions through research that evaluates intervention efficacy and meaningful outcomes. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
authors.affiliation: Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest, 3560 Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ontario,, M6A 2E1, Canada.
authors.forename: Adora L Y
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2016-9797
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Chui
authors.affiliation: Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, Whitby, Ontario,, Canada.
authors.forename: Chantal Isabelle
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: Medicine Hat Regional Hospital, Medicine Hat, Alberta,, Canada.
authors.forename: Sara A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Maraj
authors.affiliation: McMaster Children's Hospital, Hamilton, Ontario,, Canada.
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fry
authors.affiliation: Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Thunder Bay, Ontario,, Canada.
authors.forename: Justine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jecker
authors.affiliation: Occupational Therapy Program, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario,, Canada.
authors.forename: Bonny
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jung
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health; D009788:Occupational Therapy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Canadian Practice Process Framework; Forensic Mental Health; Occupational Therapy Canada