An exploration of the knowledge, skills and experience of paediatric occupational therapists with an interest in using dynamic systems theory to inform practice.

Paediatric occupational therapy practice has seen a number of changes over the years, including a renewed focus on occupation and an increased understanding of viewing the child within a wider context. As would be expected, there has also been a change in the underlying theories that are used in practice. This has included a move away from traditional theories of development, whose conceptualisation of development was considered to poorly reflect the complexities of a child's development and the contexts in which they exist. In response to this, child development theorists and occupational therapists alike have increasingly been discussing the benefits of a dynamic systems theory approach to development. However, despite similarity between this approach to development and core concepts of paediatric occupational therapy practice, there has been little research carried out in this area. Therefore, a qualitative research study is proposed in which online focus groups will be used to encourage discussion between paediatric occupational therapists considering a dynamic systems theory approach to development.bsc_occunpub1503_ethesesunpu