The Revised Role Checklist: Improved Utility, Feasibility, and Reliability

Abstract

The Role Checklist is used by occupational therapists across the globe. Developed in 1981 and consistent with the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO), until recently, the Role Checklist was not updated. This is of concern as the Role Checklist originally was established to measure role performance. In 2008, Kielhofner, in the fourth edition of A Model of Human Occupation, differentiated occupational performance in 10 roles which clearly fall into occupational participation in the Role Checklist Version 3. The objective of the study was to describe changes and establish utility, feasibility, and reliability of the Role Checklist Version 3. The Role Checklist Version 3 was administered electronically to N = 114 occupational therapists and students. A short time span was used due to sensitivity to history bias. Test-retest reliability using Cohen's Kappa and Cronbach's alpha mirrored analysis done on the original version. Qualitatively, nine themes emerged regarding utility and feasibility. Test-retest reliability is acceptable to excellent for present role incumbency (κ = 0.74-1.00), desired future role engagement (κ = 0.44-1.00), and satisfaction with performance (α = 0.77-0.98). Participants (91%) found it useful for treatment planning and 75% would recommend Version 3 over the original Role Checklist. Data support the Role Checklist Version 3 as a reliable, electronic instrument feasible for occupational therapists to measure participation.

Keywords: Model of Human Occupation; Role Checklist; occupational therapy; participation; test–retest reliability.