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Evaluation of the cost effectiveness of therapist computerized entry of occupational therapy workload measurement
1Occupational Therapy Department, Chedoke-McMaster Hospital, Hamilton, Ontario.
Abstract:
A study was conducted to examine the cost effectiveness of two methods of managing occupational therapy workload measurement data. The computer entry of statistical data by a clerk in a central location was compared to multi-site direct input of data by therapists. Cost effectiveness, efficiency and accuracy of each method were the primary outcomes. Ease of coordination and level of computer comfort were secondary outcomes. It was clear that clerk entry of data was more cost effective, efficient and accurate than therapist entry of data. The monitoring of monthly data entry was best facilitated by clerk entry. Therapists had a positive attitude towards direct entry but were unable to approximate the speed and accuracy of the data entry clerk. Therapists' comfort with computers increased slightly during the study. Since the prime purpose of the study was to examine cost effectiveness, it was concluded that clerk entry of workload data is the best use of resources.