Establishing Fidelity of Occupational Performance Coaching

Abstract

As the call for evidence-based practices has risen, discussions about the fidelity of those practices have received increased attention. Although research suggests that Occupational Performance Coaching (OPC) is effective, a systematic evaluation of the fidelity of OPC is needed. The purpose of this study was to test fidelity of OPC intervention through study design, training, monitoring, and intervention receipt, and to offer the structure from this study as a guide for other programs of research and practice. As part of a trial of OPC with n = 17 families of children with autism spectrum disorder, we measured specific elements of fidelity during the study intervention design, training, delivery, and receipt as outlined by Gearing et al. We established fidelity of OPC design and training from the study data. Transcription and analysis of 40% of intervention sessions showed that we maintained fidelity during intervention delivery and receipt. This study reports on the evidence of the fidelity of OPC and provides fidelity standards for OPC for occupational therapy practice and research applications.

Keywords: children with autism; coaching; families; fidelity; occupational performance.