Canadian Model of Occupational Participation (CanMOP)

The Canadian Model of Occupational Participation (CanMOP) is described as an iteration of the Canadian occupation model, which assists occupational therapists to collaboratively reflect on occupational participation. Defined as having access to, initiating, and sustaining valued occupations within meaningful relationships and contexts, occupational participation is placed as a central focus in the CanMOP, guiding therapists look beyond occupational performance and engagement. This model has two essential considerations: (a) the purpose and meaning of specific occupational participation for the individuals and (b) occupational possibilities to access, initiate, and sustain participation in the occupation afforded by contextual factors (including micro, meso, and macro contexts). In considering the purpose and meaning of occupational participation, therapists need to focus on the individual’s basic needs (e.g., autonomy, relatedness, competence, and so on), relationships (e.g., the ways that the individual relates to others, environment, cultures, knowledge, and so on), and history (e.g., the individual’s life course and community history). When the purpose and meaning of the individual’s occupations are obtained, therapists could start to collaborate with the individuals to consider whether the context supports the potential initiation of occupational participation (i.e., access). Moreover, they could also collaboratively consider the ways to commence or recommence a valued occupation in a meaningful context (i.e., initiate) and to continue to participation in an occupation over time (i.e., sustain). Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model is adopted in the CanMOP to delineate the contexts of occupations into microsystem (including interactions the individual has with people such as family, friend, etc.), mesosystem (including system structures such as health care and social service, organization, etc.), and macrosystem (including socioeconomic and political context). 

In summary, the CanMOP, built on earlier versions of Canadian occupational model (e.g., CMOP and COMP-E), has incorporated six enhancements: (1) explicit focus on occupational participation, (2) removal of categorization of occupation, (3-5) explicit consideration of meaning, history, and occupational possibilities, and (6) advanced consideration of performance components and the environment. It is also compatible with other models such as ICF and Social Model of Disability, and Recovery Model. The CanMOP provides a valuable approach and resource that therapists can use collaboratively with clients during the practice process.