# Embedding research within occupational therapy pre-registration training: A concept mapping study engaging staff and student voices

## TL;DR

This study explores how to better integrate research into occupational therapy training by gathering input from students and staff.

## Contribution

The novel use of group concept mapping to co-create a strategy for embedding research in occupational therapy education.

## Key findings

- Four themed clusters emerged for embedding research: Wider research community, Integration into core program, Advanced research support, and Research awareness.
- Group concept mapping effectively identified successes and improvement targets for each cluster.
- The findings provide a structured strategy to enhance research culture in occupational therapy education.

## Abstract

Occupational therapists require research and evaluation skills to deliver evidence-based care, making research education integral to their training. We aimed to develop a student and staff-informed strategy to further embed research into the occupational therapy programmes and enhance the research culture at a United Kingdom Higher Education Institution.

We used group concept mapping to gather ideas from students and staff on how to embed research and improve research culture within the occupational therapy programmes at a United Kingdom Higher Education Institution. Participants generated, sorted and rated ideas for importance and success. We analysed the data to create a concept map and identified rating values for the themed clusters and their ideas.

The concept map contained four themed clusters of ideas: Wider research community, Integration of research into the core programme, Advanced research support and capacity building and Research awareness. Successes and improvement targets were identified within each cluster.

Group concept mapping provided a structured and comprehensive method to develop a strategy for embedding research and fostering a research culture in occupational therapy programmes at a higher education institution. The four-themed concept map and identified priority targets serve as a foundation for implementing the strategy and improving research integration in occupational therapy education.