Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) in Primary Care: A Profile of Practice
Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) in Primary Care: A Profile of Practice
Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) in Primary Care: A Profile of Practice
OBJECTIVE. This study aimed to understand how the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure
(COPM) can be used as an outcome measure in primary care and to identify the occupational performance
profiles in this setting.
METHOD. First, the COPM was administered to all eligible clients at two sites. Second, a focus group with
participating occupational therapists explored the feasibility of using the COPM in primary care.
RESULTS. A total of 161 COPMs were initially administered. Self-care goals were identified most frequently
(n 5 248), followed by productivity (n 5 229) and leisure (n 5 179) goals (total goals 5 656). Mean initial
performance and satisfactions scores were 3.2 and 2.8, respectively. The average change (n 5 22) scores
were 2.1 and 2.6, respectively.
CONCLUSION. The COPM is an invaluable tool to guide initial assessments and offer an occupation-
focused lens. Given the lifespan approach and an emphasis on screening and assessment, the challenge was
finding the opportunity for readministration.
Donnelly, C., O’Neill, C., Bauer, M., & Letts, L. (2017). Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) in pri-
mary care: A profile of practice. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 71, 7106265010. https://doi.org/
10.5014/ajot.2017.020008
W
Catherine Donnelly, PhD, OT Reg (Ont.), is ith the increasing emphasis on interprofessional primary care, it is critical
Associate Professor, School of Rehabilitation Therapy,
Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; Catherine.
to understand occupational therapy’s role in this setting and the client
donnelly@queensu.ca issues that arise (Donnelly, Brenchley, Crawford, & Letts, 2014; Letts, 2011;
Mackenzie, Clemson, & Roberts, 2013; Metzler, Hartmann, & Lowenthal,
Colleen O’Neill, BSc (OT), OT Reg (Ont.), is 2012; Muir, 2012). Primary care should have certain core features; most im-
Occupational Therapist, McMaster Family Health Team,
McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
portant is that it is a client’s first contact with the health care system and in-
volves the coordination and integration of all aspects of care (Starfield, Shi, &
Martha Bauer, BSc (OT), OT Reg (Ont.), is Macinko, 2005). Primary care is also characterized by comprehensive services
Occupational Therapist, McMaster Family Health Team,
that are delivered longitudinally, and it should be person centered (Starfield
McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
et al., 2005). Primary care increasingly has a population orientation and in-
Lori Letts, PhD, OT Reg (Ont.), is Associate Dean, cludes health promotion, illness and injury prevention, and community de-
Occupational Therapy Program, and Professor, School of velopment (Aggarwal & Hutchison, 2012; Health Canada, 2012).
Rehabilitation Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton,
Ontario, Canada.
Recent articles have urged occupational therapists to consider their role in
primary care (Mackenzie et al., 2013; Metzler et al., 2012; Muir, 2012). Muir
(2012) stated that in the primary care setting, occupational therapists “could
truly provide patient-centered and comprehensive intervention plans” (p. 508).
Given the longitudinal nature of primary care, occupational therapists are
ideally suited to support people’s health and participation over the life course.
However, despite the clear fit between the domain of occupational therapy
practice and primary care, there is relatively little research on the role of oc-
cupational therapy in primary care and few practice examples (Donnelly et al.,
2014).
In 2009, in the province of Ontario, Canada, occupational therapy became
a funded profession within interprofessional primary care teams. To date,
The major strength of the COPM in primary care was its Unique Environment of Primary Care
focus on function or occupation. This was seen as par-
Challenge of Reassessment. The primary care envi-
ticularly important in this setting, in which the focus is
ronment provided some unique challenges that have not
been previously presented in the literature. Primary care
Table 1. COPM Change Scores for Participants Who Had a
Follow-Up Assessment
provides health care to patients across the life course. In
interprofessional primary care clinics, patients are rostered
M (SD)
or signed up with a team that provides them with con-
Initial Assessment Reassessment Change
COPM (n 5 22) (n 5 22) (n 5 22)
tinuous support and services over time, as needed. As a
Performance 3.4 (1.2) 5.6 (2.0) 2.1 (1.5)
result, there is no natural start or endpoint, as is the case in
Satisfaction 2.4 (1.3) 5.1 (2.5) 2.6 (2.0) traditional settings in which occupational therapists are
Note. COPM 5 Canadian Occupational Performance Measure; M 5 mean; employed. “We don’t actually discharge” (S2O1). With-
SD 5 standard deviation. out a set discharge date, readministration was a challenge.