Use of the Medical Research Council Framework to develop a complex intervention in pediatric occupational therapy: Assessing feasibility

The United Kingdom Medical Research Council recommends use of a conceptual framework for designing and testing complex therapeutic interventions. Partnering for Change (P4C) is an innovative school-based intervention for children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) that was developed by an interdisciplinary team who were guided by this framework. The goals of P4C are to facilitate earlier identification, build capacity of educators and parents to manage DCD, and improve children's participation in school and at home. Eight occupational therapists worked in school settings during the 2009–2010 school year. Their mandate was to build capacity through collaboration and coaching with the school becoming the “client”, rather than any individual student. Over 2600 students and 160 teachers in 11 elementary schools received service during the project. Results from questionnaires and individual interviews indicated that this model was highly successful in increasing knowledge and capacity. P4C intervention holds promise for transforming service delivery in schools.

► Partnering for Change (P4C) is an innovative model for OT intervention in schools.
► Study showed feasibility for children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD).
► P4C uses chronic disease management concepts: education, coaching, building capacity.
► Early ID, response to intervention, prevention of secondary disability are pivotal.
► Educators, parents and occupational therapists were highly satisfied with P4C.