Assessing occupational performance in special housing in Sweden

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Occupational Therapy
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Occupational performance assessments are crucial for occupational therapists (OTs) in special housing for elder care.
• Current practices in assessing occupational performance in special housing settings are not well understood.
• Evidence-based and relevant assessment methods are essential but underutilized.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify the methods occupational therapists use to assess occupational performance in elderly clients residing in special housing.
• To understand occupational therapists' perceptions of various occupational performance assessment methods.

Main Methods:

• An email questionnaire was distributed to occupational therapists working in special housing across Sweden.
• Data collected from respondents were analyzed using descriptive and parametric statistical methods.

Main Results:

• A total of 660 occupational therapists responded to the survey.
• Most OTs regularly assessed occupational performance but infrequently used standardized instruments or structured methods.
• OTs reported dissatisfaction with their assessment abilities; however, those with higher education and fewer clients expressed greater satisfaction and knowledge.

Conclusions:

• Occupational therapists' satisfaction with assessment abilities is linked to education level and caseload size.
• Enhancing the use of structured occupational performance assessments requires improvements in organizational structures, work environments, and professional development.
• Further research and implementation strategies are needed to support OTs in adopting evidence-based assessment practices.