Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM)

Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) Mary Law, Sue Baptiste, Anne Carswell, Mary Ann McColl, Helene Polatajko, Nancy Pollock

The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) is an individualized, client-centred measure designed for use by occupational therapists to detect change in a client\’s self-perception of occupational performance over time. It is designed to be used as an outcome measure. The COPM is designed for use with clients with a variety of disabilities and across all developmental stages.

The COPM is a standardized instrument, in that there are specific instructions and methods for administering and scoring the test. It is designed as an outcome measure, with a semi-structured interview format and structured scoring method. Change scores between assessment and reassessment using the COPM are the most meaningful scores derived from this assessment.

Originally published in 1991, with the latest fourth edition released in May 2005, the COPM has been used in more than 35 countries and has been translated into over 20 languages.

The COPM has undergone extensive research in many different occupational therapy practice situations. The majority of clients and therapists indicate that the measure is easy to administer, taking 20-40 minutes.

A recent review of the published literature found 98 papers that focused on the COPM. Psychometric properties including clinical utility, validity and responsiveness were studied in many of the papers. The results were very positive, demonstrating support for the reliability and validity of the COPM. Clinical utility, examined through a number of different studies supports the use of the COPM with a wide variety of clients in many different settings. The COPM is also responsive to change and is widely used as an outcome measure for individuals and programs.