Occupational Performance Network
The PRPP Group
PRPP INSTRUCTORS
What is a PRPP instructor?
A PRPP instructor is a member of an international body of OTs in the PRPP Network who
dedicate their own time to dissemination and development of the PRPP Assessment and
Intervention. The roles and functions of a PRPP instructor have many facets. People
nominate to act in one or more of the following levels:
LEVEL I
First and foremost, a PRPP instructor serves as a resource to the OTs in their country or
region. One of the most critical elements of PRPP implementation is what happens before
and after a PRPP assessment and intervention course.
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All instructors should be prepared to acts as a mentor for OTs in their region or
clinical areas
o Providing introductory information about the PRPP via department presentations,
and short half day workshops has proven to be helpful in not only attracting
people to full courses, but orienting them to the assessment model so they are
ready to learn more complex information.
o Similarly, the success of a course lies not only in how it is taught, but in the
support that is available during the three to six months that follow the course. This
is best done by someone who understands the social, linguistic and cultural
context of where the PRPP will be used.
LEVEL II
Second, PRPP instructors may nominate to teach aspects of a full Assessment or
Intervention course. Instructors who do so are expected to:
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Have completed both the full PRPP Assessment and Intervention courses.
Be proficient in the use of the PRPP and use the instrument regularly.
In addition, instructors are:
o Active in planning courses for their geographical region in coordination with
PRPP Network and the host institution (e.g. university, professional association or
business).
o Active in planning the content and sequence of information in the content areas
they teach. While core information is available via the PRPP Assessment and
Intervention Manuals, instructors have to assess their own knowledge and teach to
that level of knowledge. No-one should be teaching information they are not
familiar with.
o Able to develop their own teaching resources and materials. This is particularly
so for instructors who teach in languages other than English. This involves
translation of information (e.g. score sheets and information summaries), power
point slides; and client video examples for teaching)
o Able to use best instruction methods based on systematic instruction.
o Able to act as metacognitive coaches, serving as PRPP models, thinking aloud
with participants and demonstrating assessment and intervention behaviour they
want the participants to use
o Able to provide immediate feedback on participants’ work and discussion, and
evaluate the professional use of the instrument by participants. This is done in a
manner that is supportive, constructive and professional.
Third, instructors are expected to be involved in activities that support continued
development of the PRPP Assessment and/or intervention by engaging in such activities as:
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Providing data to other instructors for research purposes
Supporting research projects carried out by students and practitioners
Giving advice and ideas about research or projects
Monitoring the use of the PRPP in research by literature review
Publications of case studies and other small projects in local journals
Evaluating courses
Evaluating implementation of PRPP
Making suggestions to the instructors group about changes and innovations
needed
Fourth, instructors are expected to work as a team. The PRPP ‘rule’ is that, except for Level
I activities, courses are not taught by a single instructor, but rather a team (2 or 3). This is for
several reasons. First, working with others is a way to maintain ‘fidelity’ of PRPP
interpretations. Second, it is unrealistic to expect one person to be able to do the required
teaching preparation and keep current with research in all areas of PRPP. Finally, a team of
instructors from different clinical backgrounds are able to give the range of examples needed
in teaching participants that come from all areas of practice.
Fifth, PRPP instructors promote PRPP Assessment and Intervention practices in a respectful
and ethical way. This incorporates expected professional behaviour of graduate level
teaching which includes:
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Recognition of ownership and copyright material
Use of best evidence
Ensuring access to materials needed by participants
Modification (within reason) of instructional materials for participants who have
disabilities.
Professional presentation and style
What is the process of becoming a PRPP instructor
The process of becoming an instructor is the same in every country. It is a stepwise process
that has been put in place to ensure success, satisfaction, individual learning and is
sustainable for people who (we assume) have busy jobs and lifestyles.
Chapparo, C., & Ranka, J. (2015, December). PRPP Instructor - Description.
PRPP Instructors Group of the Occupational Performance Network
Page 2 of 3
Step One:
Submit an expression of interest (following). Expressions of interest will be evaluated by
members of the International Instructors Group (PRPP Network) and in some instances by a
country’s professional association if they are to permanently take charge of hosting PRPP
Courses. At this stage, you may be asked to submit more information, or you will proceed to
Step Two with a mentor or PRPP instructor ‘partner’.
Step Two:
Begin to engage in Level I activity. The frequency and numbers of these activities depend
upon individual need and time available to the instructor in training. At this stage, plans for
introductory courses or in-house workshops are planned on an individual basis. It is always
best to engage in these activities in the first instance with another instructor-in-training, or
another PRPP instructor. Should you decide to begin these activities, there will be
opportunities for more discussion about how to proceed.
Step Three:
Begin to engage in Level II activity. This starts gradually. Some instructors nominate one
part of the Assessment Course that they assume teaching responsibility for (e.g. Stage One).
Expansion of teaching occurs until the instructor has met nominated instructor goal (that is,
what specific parts of the PRPP with that person be responsible for).
With this information in mind, occupational therapists who wish to submit an expression of
interest to pursue being a PRPP instructor at either Level I and/or Level II are invited to
complete the following application.
Copies of the application should be in English and sent to the host organising group. In
Sweden, The Swedish Association of Occupational Therapist mail: kurser@fsa.se The
applications will be for forwarded to the Occupational Performance Network by the Swedish
Association.
Chapparo, C., & Ranka, J. (2015, December). PRPP Instructor - Description.
PRPP Instructors Group of the Occupational Performance Network
Page 3 of 3