Challenges in implementation of research methodology in community-based occupational therapy: The Housing Enabler Example.

This paper focuses on challenges in implementation of research in community-based occupational therapy practice. Based on a two-year project in a south Swedish municipality aiming at studying implementation of structured assessment
procedures in the housing adaptation process, the first purpose is to provide a detailed project description, and the second is to report on first results identifying challenges in implementation of research in practice. The project was managed following a non-profit marketing model involving activities based on user needs, e.g. assessment training, support visits, and seminars
with the users, i.e. occupational therapists. In order to collect data on implementation challenges, a multidimensional approach was utilized. Involving all occupational therapists in the municipality under study, 422 housing adaptation cases were assessed by means of the Housing Enabler. Good inter-rater reliability was demonstrated (/k¯0:62); but large differences between districts in the municipality were seen. Qualitative analyses of diaries, e-mail correspondence and
minutes from workshops and seminars elucidated three categories reflecting research implementation challenges: Utilizing research in practice is not straightforward ; Utilizing information technology is demanding; and Establishing cooperation and communication is challenging . The results can be utilized for planning of research implementation projects in practice not used to scientific work.