2023 QA Program Survey Results

About the Survey

Thank you to the 250 respondents for your valued participation! The survey was shared in the College’s February 2023 newsletter for input about the Quality Assurance (QA) Program. Registrants were asked questions about guiding principles, risk in practice, benefits of assessment, and impact on practice. 

Survey Results Summary

We asked registrants about the most important principles the QA program should aspire to: 

• “Transparency” was ranked as the most important principle by 81% of respondents.
• Fair (71%) and Responsive (70%) were ranked as the second and third most important principles.

We are using this information in practical ways by:

• improving how the QA program communicates while aiming to use clear and easily understood language.
• updating the QA section of the COTO website with accessible and current information.

We asked registrants to rank each competency according to their perceived level of risk:

Respondents ranked each of the 22 competencies according to the level of risk if practiced without competence (Competencies for Occupational Therapists in Canada).

Here are the “top 10” competencies ranked as highest risk:

1. Meet legislative and regulatory requirements. 
2. Demonstrate a commitment to minimizing risk.
3. Communicate in a respectful and effective manner.
4. Maintain professional documentation.
5. Collaborate with clients, other professionals, and stakeholders.
6. Promote anti-oppressive behaviour and culturally safer, inclusive relationships.
7. Determine clients’ needs and goals for occupational therapy services.
8. Implement the occupational therapy plan.
9. Promote equity in practice.
10. Establish trusted professional relationships with clients.

We are using this information in practical ways by: 

• incorporating the high-risk competencies ranked by OTs into the design of the revised competency assessment. 
• For example: questions related to respectful communication or how OTs promote equity.  This assessment helps OTs strengthen their practice by identifying any learning needs and resources to support knowledge, skill, or judgement. 

We asked registrants about the most valuable aspects of the competency assessment process:

Here’s what aspects of the assessment process respondents said were “most valuable”: 

• getting resources to help their practice (82%), 
• identifying areas of growth (79%)
• identifying areas of strength (64%)
• coaching by a peer (39%)

We are using this information in practical ways by: 

• creating a resource page on the website for registrants.
• developing QA activities that focus on strengths and areas for growth 

We asked registrants about what circumstances could influence an occupational therapist to voluntarily participate in a competency assessment:

Respondents ranked these as the “top 3” leading situations for voluntarily participating or requesting a competency assessment:

1. An OT that would like an objective review of their practice.
2. An OT changing practice settings or client populations.
3. An OT that is new to the profession (0-3 years)

We are using this information in practical ways by: 

• providing an option to volunteer or “opt-in” to a competency assessment for registrants who want objective feedback on their practice. 

We appreciate the input as we revise important aspects of the QA program. 

Your feedback is always welcome and can be shared by email to Lesley Krempulec, Manager, QA Program at [email protected].