This month, we host a webinar from National Lead Occupational Therapists working for the Ministry of Defence, Fatima Catarro and Anna Williams. They will share their knowledge of Functional assessments, which they describe as the objective measure of the ability to engage in an activity accurately and in a timely manner, considering the physical, cognitive, sensory and psychological demands. These Assessments can establish a baseline and be used to propose rehabilitation goals (Hagedorn, 2000).
Functional assessments have long been used by OTs with great utility within an acute setting to assess function in support of safe discharges. This approach triangulates what the patient states is their capacity with observed and measured function to complete personal and domestic activities of daily function (P/DADL) tasks. Functional assessments have also been adopted by the Armed Forces to comprehensively assess service personnel in work related tasks that provide evidence to support clinical risk assessments for work and supports more accurate medical grading (Army Medical Employment Policy, 2022).
Occupational Therapists’ skills in analysing physical, cognitive and psychological function following injury or illness provides additional evidence that diversifying the Occupational Health team and employing a range of SQEP (suitably qualified and experienced persons) clinicians can be beneficial to the employer and service person (SP). A case study will be used to demonstrate the benefits of functional assessments in terms of qualitative benefits for the SP and the cost benefit to the employer.
References
1 Hagedorn, (2000). Tools for Practice in Occupational Therapy, Churchill Livingstone.
2 AGAI Vol 2, Chapter 78 - Army Medical Employment Policy (PULHHEEMS Administration Pamphlet).
Fatima and Anna will also join us for our live Peer Support session on Monday 6th Nov 2023 12:30-2pm to answer your questions.