CORE COMPETENCIES FOR COLLABORATIVE INTERPROFESSIONAL PRACTICE IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY AND TOOLS FOR ITS ASSESSMENT

Abstract

Topicality. In the context of rehabilitation system reform in Ukraine and the growing needs of the civilian population caused by war-related challenges, effective interprofessional collaboration among rehabilitation professionals has become increasingly important. Occupational therapy, as a client-centered component of rehabilitation care, requires clearly defined interprofessional competencies and reliable tools for assessing the quality of team-based practice.
The goal. The aim of this article is to analyze the core competencies of interprofessional collaborative practice in occupational therapy and to summarize contemporary assessment tools for interprofessional interaction within the Ukrainian context.
Materials and methods. The study was based on systemic, analytical-synthetic, and comparative approaches. The materials included international framework documents (IPEC, CanMEDS), professional guidelines, and current scientific publications addressing interprofessional collaboration in rehabilitation. Content analysis of interprofessional competencies and comparative analysis of assessment instruments were conducted.
Research results. Key competencies of interprofessional collaborative practice in occupational therapy were identified, including teamwork, interprofessional communication, understanding of professional roles and responsibilities, and shared values and ethical principles. The applicability of assessment tools such as the Interprofessional Education and Practice Quality Scale (IPEQS), the Team Decision Making Questionnaire (TDMQ), and the Interdisciplinary Education Perception Scale (IEPS) for rehabilitation teams in Ukraine was analyzed.
Conclusions. The development of interprofessional competencies is a prerequisite for effective occupational therapy practice within the Ukrainian rehabilitation system. The adaptation and implementation of standardized assessment tools for interprofessional practice can contribute to improving the quality of rehabilitation services and strengthening client-centered team-based care.