The Menu Task in Occupational Therapy: A Qualitative Study of Practitioners’ Perspectives

Abstract

Occupational therapy practice addressing functional cognition reduces hospital readmission rates. But no widely accepted performance-based functional cognition screen exists for inpatient rehabilitation. The aim was to determine how occupational therapy practitioners perceive the Menu Task’s (MT’s) utility for addressing functional cognition impairment. This study is a qualitative interpretive constructionist design with a phenomenological approach using semi-structured interviews with nine inpatient rehabilitation occupational therapy practitioners. Three themes emerged: (a) the screen’s focus on ability, highlighting what the patient can do; (b) convenient administration, emphasizing the screen’s ease of use; and (c) room to grow, focusing on areas for screen improvement. The Menu Task is convenient to administer and informs occupational therapy practice by revealing functional cognition ability. Although needing improvement, the Menu Task aligns with occupational therapy practice tenets by highlighting occupational participation. Occupational therapy practitioners indicated that inclusion of the Menu Task enhanced their clinical practice in inpatient rehabilitation, addressing functional cognition.

Plain Language Summary

Use of the Menu Task in Occupational Therapy

This study examined occupational therapy practitioners’ views on the use of the Menu Task. Practitioners suggested that the task measures how well a person thinks by testing their ability to follow directions through the use of ordering from a pretend menu. Practitioners like the Menu Task because it is easy to give and provides helpful information, although limitations and areas for improvement are noted.