A survey of research capacity and partnerships among mental health occupational therapists in the UK
| Published date | 12 June 2017 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/MHRJ-12-2016-0024 |
| Pages | 136-147 |
| Date | 12 June 2017 |
| Author | Karen Morris,Genevieve Smyth |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Mental health |
A survey of research capacity and
partnerships among mental health
occupational therapists in the UK
Karen Morris and Genevieve Smyth
Abstract
Purpose –Occupational therapists working in mental health services in the UK are under increasing scrutiny
to provide both clinically and cost-effective services. The profession has indicated that a stronger evidence
base would help promote the unique contribution of occupational therapy when influencing service managers
and government bodies. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach –The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) and its Specialist
Section –Mental Health carried out a survey to gauge recent research capacity among occupational
therapists working in mental health services in the UK and to seek their views about how to furtherincrease
research capacity and partnerships.
Findings –Of the 145 participants approximately half had been involved in research in the past five years,
and most had involved research partnerships. A number had successfully applied for funding and about half
of the research carried out had been disseminated. The participants felt that methods to increase research
capacity and partnerships should continue to include improving research leadership and networks;
promoting research skills through formal studies and increasing research dissemination.
Originality/value –A variety of methods will continue to be required to expand the evidence base. RCOT
and its Specialist Sections continue to have an important role developing research capacity and partnerships.
Keywords Occupational therapy, Mental health, Research capacity
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
The role of the Royal C ollege of Occupati onal Therapists ( RCOT)[1] and RCOT S pecialist
Section –Mental Health in su pporting resear ch culture is pivot al as both have UK wide
networks which are crucial, for example, in multisite projects. RCOT produces various
resources to support the profession with information about research training, funding,
competencies, et hics and involving se rvice users. Each Spe cialist Section has a d edicated
research and development lead who supports requests for research involvement among its
members. RCOT and i ts Specialist Sec tions also give aw ards for education , research
and CPD in addition to the United Kingdom Occupational Therapy Research Foundation
(UKOTRF) funding. As much larger research is multi-professional, RCOT advocates
involvement in the Council for Allied Health Professions Research Regional Hubs Network
which provide research advice and support to clinicians and academics. RCOT and its
Specialist Secti ons have an ongoing role in pro moting these opportuniti es and resources to the
occupational the rapy community.
Recovering Ordinary Lives: The Strategy for Occupa tional Therapy in M ental Health Ser vices
2007 to 2017 (College of Occupational Therapists, 2006), was developed to improve the
impact and leadership of the profession. When reviewed at the half way point in 2013,
it highlighted that qualitative evidence is dominant within the profession. A key concern for
Received 22 December 2016
Revised 29 April 2017
Accepted 2 May 2017
Karen Morris is a Principal
Lecturer (Rehabilitation) at the
Department of Health ,
Psychology and Social
Studies, University of Cumbria,
Carlisle, UK.
Genevieve Smyth is based at
the Royal College of
Occupational Therapists Ltd,
London, UK.
PAGE136
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MENTALHEALTH REVIEW JOURNAL
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VOL. 22 NO. 2 2017, pp. 136-147, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 1361-9322 DOI 10.1108/MHRJ-12-2016-0024
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