A quantitative approach to measure occupational therapist-client interactions: a pilot study

Abstract Aims: The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility of a quantitative approach to study occupational therapist-client interactions. Role plays were videotaped in which 10 therapists met three client-actors. A questionnaire assessed the occupational therapists' and the p...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Scandinavian journal of occupational therapy 2010-09, Vol.17 (3), p.217-224
Main Authors: Vegni, Elena, Mauri, Emanuela, D'Apice, Monica, Moja, Egidio Aldo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Clinical Competence
Communication
Female
Humans
interaction analysis system
interpersonal relations
Interprofessional Relations
Interview, Psychological
Male
Middle Aged
Occupational therapists
Occupational therapy
Occupational Therapy - methods
Pilot Projects
Pilot studies
Professional Role
Professional-Patient Relations
Psychometrics
Reproducibility of Results
RIAS
Role play
Role Playing
Surveys and Questionnaires
Therapist-Client interaction
Therapist-Client relationships
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Summary:Abstract Aims: The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility of a quantitative approach to study occupational therapist-client interactions. Role plays were videotaped in which 10 therapists met three client-actors. A questionnaire assessed the occupational therapists' and the patient-actors' opinion of the role-play experience. A modified version of the Roter Interaction Analysis System (RIAS), OT-RIAS, was used to analyse data. Major findings: Occupational therapists considered the role play experience to be "highly realistic" (mean score 5.4 on a 1-6 Likert scale). The actors' comfort role playing clients was also high (mean = 4.0; range 1-5). Inter-coder reliability for the OT-RIAS was highly significant (r = 0.919; p = 0.000). The modified version of this system fits well in an occupational therapy context. Principal conclusion: The quantitative approach used in this study to explore the therapist-client relationship appears to be effective. The role plays and RIAS may be useful in research exploring correlation between the OT communication style and outcome measures such as client satisfaction or comprehension, or in order to assess and offer feedback in teaching communication skills programmes.
ISSN:1103-8128
1651-2014
DOI:10.3109/11038120903147956