Research in Occupational Therapy

The Occupational Therapy Research Unit aims at securing high quality occupational therapeutic offers in the frame of healthcare.  To do so they investigate research questions from practical daily care and implement projects in close cooperation with their project partners. The research outcomes are reintroduced into practice through continuing education and training as well as in publications.

Development and evaluation of new technologies, innovative therapeutic approaches and care models to enable physical activity, health, inclusion and/or participation. Studies on the effectiveness of occupational therapy in children and adults with, or at risk of, impaired ability to undertake everyday activities, e.g. in neurological, psychiatric and paediatric diseases or in old age. Questions on the perspective of the subject concerned, e.g. how do patients/clients and their families experience life with a chronic illness or disability and healthcare in Switzerland. Development and evaluation of models, interventions, processes and tools that allow the inclusion of people with disabilities. Translation and validation of assessments that are used to ensure quality assurance and monitor effectiveness, or to specify impairments of the ability to act.

The Occupational Therapy Research Unit prioritises projects that enable people with restricted abilities to achieve more autonomy and participation in self-sufficiency, education, work, leisure and social life. All the Occupational Therapy Research Unit’s projects and publications are listed in the ZHAW project and publication database by their start date and publication date.

The Occupational Therapy Research Unit team is composed of specialists in occupational therapy, medical education, sociology, management and quality development in the healthcare system who have extensive experience in practice, research and development at home and abroad.