MA Healthcare, International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation, 6(21), p. 280-288, 2014
DOI: 10.12968/ijtr.2014.21.6.280
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Aim: This study aimed to survey the choices occupational therapists (OTs) make when selecting assessment tools and methods for assessing patients’ occupational performance problems due to cognitive deficits during the immediate post-acute phase of stroke (approximately 1–7 days after). This study also aimed to examine the extent to which OTs use standardised, occupation-based assessments and whether factors such as education level, the time needed to use assessment tools, and the impact of local departmental guidelines, affect the selection of standardised, occupation-based assessments. Methods: A cross-sectional survey, completed via post with responses from 150 Danish occupational therapists was conducted. Results: The survey participants used 13 different assessment tools and methods to assess patients with stroke for occupational performance problems due to cognitive deficits. Only 9% of the OTs were using standardised, occupation-based assessments. Educational level, the time needed to use the assessment tools and the impact of local departmental guidelines were not significantly associated with selection of standardised, occupation-based assessments. Conclusion: The majority of the OTs in this study did not use standardised, occupation-based assessments. These findings indicate a need for further investigation into the changes necessary to the practitioners’ knowledge, skills, or priorities in the use of standardised, occupation-based assessments in clinical practice.