Background: Case study research is generating interest to evaluate complex interventions. However, it is not clear how this is being utilized by occupational therapists or how feasible it is to contribute to the evidence base. This scoping review explores the range and characteristics of case study research within occupational therapy. It examines how case study research is defined, the methodologies adopted and the practice contexts in which it is applied. From this, it considers the viability of case study research for contributing to the evidence base for occupation and health. Methods: Opinion, text and empirical studies which use or discuss case study research methodology within an occupational therapy practice context were included. A three-step extensive search following JBI methodology was conducted in June 2020 and updated in July 2021 across databases and websites for English language, published, peer-reviewed and grey literature from 2016. Study selection was completed by two independent reviewers. A data extraction table was developed and piloted by the authors and data charted to align with the research questions. Data extraction was completed by one reviewer and a 10% sample cross-checked by a second reviewer. Results: Eighty-eight studies were included in the review consisting of (n=84) empirical case study and (n=4) non-empirical papers. Case study research has been conducted globally, with a range of populations across different settings. The majority were conducted in a community setting (57%) and with populations experiencing neurodevelopmental disorder (38%) and stroke (17%) as well as non-diagnosis specific (15%). Methodologies adopted quantitative (50%), mixed methods (26%) and qualitative designs (24%). However, identifying the methodology and ‘case’ was a challenge due to methodological inconsistencies. Conclusions: Case study research is useful when large scale inquiry is not appropriate; for cases of complexity, early intervention efficacy, theory testing or when small participant numbers are available. It appears a viable methodology to contribute to the evidence base for occupation and health as it has been used to evaluate interventions across a breadth of occupational therapy practice contexts. Viability could be enhanced through consistent conduct and reporting to allow pooling of case data. A conceptual model and description of case study research in occupational therapy is proposed to support this.

Journal database searching following JBI Methodology; scoping review evidence synthesis.