An exploratory study of competencies for emerging practice in occupational therapy

• Published in: Journal of allied health Vol. 38; no. 2; p. 81
• Main Authors: Holmes, Wendy M, Scaffa, Marjorie E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-07-2009
• Subjects: Competency-Based Education; Delphi Technique; Humans; Occupational Therapy - education; Occupational Therapy - standards
• ISSN: 0090-7421

Many health professions face challenges and opportunities resulting in expanding contexts for service delivery. For the profession of occupational therapy, one element of this changing landscape is the ongoing development and delivery of services in new or underdeveloped practice settings, often identified as emerging practice. The purpose of this exploratory study was to identify the professional competencies needed for emerging practice and strategies for their development. The Delphi method of forecasting and exploration was used with a panel of 23 occupational therapists, currently practicing in emerging roles or settings, to gather specific information about the essential competencies and competency characteristics and to identify strategies for their future development. The Delphi panel identified 104 competencies essential to emerging practice and 55 strategies for the development of these competencies pertinent to occupational therapy educational programs and professional organizations. The study results are relevant to the educational preparation and professional development of health professionals for current and future practice roles and opportunities.