International occupational therapy research priorities: A delphi study

• Main Authors: Lynette Mackenzie, Susan Coppola, Liliana Alvarez, Lolita Cibule, Sergey Maltsev, Siew Yim Loh, Tecla Mlambo, Moses N. Ikiugu, Zdenka Pihlar, Sarinya Sriphetcharawut, Sue Baptiste, Richard Ledgerd
• Format: Journal
• Published: 2018
• Subjects: Health Professions
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?partnerID=HzOxMe3b&scp=85018308020&origin=inward; http://cmuir.cmu.ac.th/jspui/handle/6653943832/57425
• Institution: Chiang Mai University

© The Author(s) 2017. Occupational therapy is a global profession represented by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT). International research priorities are needed for strategic guidance on global occupational therapy practice. The objective of this study was to develop international research priorities to reflect global occupational therapy practice. A Delphi study using three rounds of electronic surveys, distributed to WFOT member organizations and WFOT accredited universities, was conducted. Data were analyzed after each round, and priorities were presented for rating and ranking in order of importance. Forty-six (53%) out of 87 WFOT member countries participated in the Delphi process. Eight research priorities were confirmed by the final electronic survey round. Differences were observed in rankings given by member organizations and university respondents. Despite attrition at Round 3, the final research priorities will help to focus research efforts in occupational therapy globally. Follow-up research is needed to determine how the research priorities are being adopted internationally.