How Occupational Therapists Engage Adults with Cognitive Impairments in Assessments

Abstract

Introduction:

There is little discussion in the multidisciplinary literature about how to engage adults with cognitive impairments in health-related assessments. This qualitative descriptive study used semi-structured interviews to explore how nine occupational therapists working across a range of practice settings addressed this issue.

Method:

Interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. Inductive analysis revealed themes, which were refined through an iterative process.

Findings:

The findings showed that the participants used individually developed strategies to engage clients in assessments. The first theme, ‘Managing a complex process’, described the steps used with clients and families to obtain informed consent, prepare for the assessment, and consider the impact of having a third party present. The second theme, ‘Recruiting cooperation’, addressed how the participants used their relationship with clients to recruit them to engage in the assessment.

Conclusion:

The findings provided a snapshot of processes employed in practice to determine the needs and capabilities of clients with cognitive impairments, and the compromises therapists make in relation to eliciting informed consent and the integrity of formal assessment tools. The findings have implications for the profession and further research.