A comparison of international occupational therapy competencies: Implications for Australian standards in the new millennium

Rodger, Sylvia, Clark, Michele, Banks, Rebecca, O'Brien, Mia and Martinez, Kay (2009) A comparison of international occupational therapy competencies: Implications for Australian standards in the new millennium. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 56 6: 372-383.


Author Rodger, Sylvia
Clark, Michele
Banks, Rebecca
O'Brien, Mia
Martinez, Kay
Title A comparison of international occupational therapy competencies: Implications for Australian standards in the new millennium
Journal name Australian Occupational Therapy Journal  (ERA 2012 Listed)    (ERA 2010 Rank B)   Check publisher's open access policy
Publication date 2009-12
Sub-type Review of research - research literature review (NOT book review
Year available 2009
DOI 10.1111/j.1440-1630.2009.00808.x
Volume number 56
Issue number 6
ISSN 0045-0766; 1440-1630
Start page 372
End page 383
Total pages 12
Editor Elspeth Froude
Janet Fricke
Place of publication Oxford, UK
Publisher Wiley InterScience
Collection year 2010
Language eng
Subject 1103 Clinical Sciences
C1
Formatted abstract Background/aim: A timely evaluation of the Australian Competency Standards for Entry-Level Occupational Therapists© (1994) was conducted. This thorough investigation comprised a literature review exploring the concept of competence and the applications of competency standards; systematic benchmarking of the Australian Occupational Therapy Competency Standards (OT AUSTRALIA, 1994) against other national and international competency standards and other affiliated documents, from occupational therapy and other cognate disciplines; and extensive nationwide consultation with the professional community. This paper explores and examines the similarities and disparities between occupational therapy competency standards documents available in English from Australia and other countries.

Methods: An online search for national occupational therapy competency standards located 10 documents, including the Australian competencies.

Results: Four 'frameworks' were created to categorise the documents according to their conceptual underpinnings: Technical-Prescriptive, Enabling, Educational and Meta-Cognitive. Other characteristics that appeared to impact the design, content and implementation of competency standards, including definitions of key concepts, authorship, national and cultural priorities, scope of services, intended use and review mechanisms, were revealed.

Conclusion: The proposed 'frameworks' and identification of influential characteristics provided a 'lens' through which to understand and evaluate competency standards. While consistent application of and attention to some of these characteristics appear to consolidate and affirm the authority of competency standards, it is suggested that the national context should be a critical determinant of the design and content of the final document. The Australian Occupational Therapy Competency Standards (OT AUSTRALIA, 1994) are critiqued accordingly, and preliminary recommendations for revision are proposed.
Keyword benchmarking
competency standards
global perspectives
international standards
professional practice
Q-Index Code C1
Q-Index Status Confirmed Code

Document type: Journal Article
Sub-type: Review of research - research literature review (NOT book review
Collections: 2010 Higher Education Research Data Collection
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Publications
 
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Created: Sun, 22 Nov 2009, 00:08:21 EST