“Support for Everyone”: Experiences of Occupational Therapists Delivering a New Model of School-Based Service

Abstract

Background. Occupational therapists working in school health have recognized the need to move away from a one-to-one direct service delivery model towards a more collaborative, classroom-based approach. Partnering for Change (P4C) is an innovative service delivery model that may enhance school-based collaborative care. Purpose. To capture the experiences of occupational therapists implementing P4C and to elicit their perspectives about how this model differs from the direct service approach. Methods. Semi-structured, face-to-face interviews were conducted with seven therapists who had delivered P4C in 10 Ontario schools. Thematic analysis was utilized with themes verified through member checking. Findings. Five themes (a year of growth, becoming a community, the key ingredients of P4C, a balancing act, and providing services that make an impact) reflected therapists' personal and professional growth, aspects of the model they believed were key, challenges they encountered, and the impact they felt they had made. Implications. Partnering for Change has the potential to transform school-based occupational therapy and overcome existing barriers to collaboration. This model also may better address the needs of children with motor coordination difficulties.