In the Occupational Therapy Department at the University of Minnesota, we value organizing our research efforts according to shared research interests. As such, we have established a framework that supports faculty collaboration, and the proliferation of occupational therapy research. Our collective research efforts fall into the following five “Cores.”
Overview
Health Services
Research in this core focuses on evaluating the organization, delivery, and financing of healthcare services to improve their quality, effectiveness, and affordability. Our faculty members who are currently engaged in this core include:
Measurement
Research in this Core focuses on developing and testing measures of phenomena of interest (e.g., self-efficacy, disability, movement, etc.) to occupational therapy clients, practitioners, educators, and researchers. Our faculty members who are currently engaged in this core include:
Occupational Therapy Intervention Development and Testing
Research in this Core focuses on the creation and/or testing of occupational therapy interventions that address barriers to occupational performance, participation, role competence, health, and wellness. Our faculty members who are currently engaged in this core include:
Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
As one of the oldest occupational therapist training programs in the country, we have a long-standing commitment to enhancing occupational therapy instruction and the student experience. As such, our most established Core focuses on the scholarship of occupational therapy teaching and/or learning and its dissemination. Our faculty members who are currently engaged in this core include:
Wellness and Health Promotion
Research of this Core focuses on improving health behaviors for the prevention and management of chronic conditions to achieve better occupational therapy outcomes and improve quality of life. Our faculty members who are currently engaged in this core include: