Date Presented 04/06/19
Substance-use disorder (SUD) affects roles, identity, and quality of life and limits activities of daily living and social engagement. This session reports the results of a qualitative study utilizing interviews and surveys of OTs in mental-health settings to determine what assessments they use for persons with SUD. Results show that OT practitioners primarily use nonstandardized and some standardized assessments to evaluate persons with SUD.
Additional Authors and Speakers: Mary Hildebrand
Primary Author and Speaker: Andrea Boerding
PURPOSE: Substance use disorder is defined as “a problematic pattern of use of an intoxicating substance leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, occurring within a 12 month period. In 2013, an estimated 24.6 million Americans, 9.4 percent of the population, had used an illicit drug in the past month; an 8.3 percent increase since 2002 (NIH, 2013). Substance use disorder (SUD) can impact overall quality of life, activities of daily living, occupational roles, and social engagement. Occupational Therapy (OT) practitioners can play a valuable role on the SUD treatment team. The purpose of this study is to identify what assessments occupational therapists use with people with SUD
DESIGN: This study used a qualitative, narrative design to explore what assessments are currently being used by OT practitioners. The participants for the study were nine OT practitioners in the United States. They were recruited through networking using a variety of sources.
METHOD: There were two sources of data in this study: 1) telephone survey and 2) telephone interviews. Each interview was recorded and transcribed. Following the completion of each transcription, an analysis was conducted and the information gathered and grouped into themes. All data were coded for themes by the researcher and faculty advisor and a member check was completed after the coding of themes.
RESULTS: Non-standardized assessments were the most commonly used by participants. The participants conveyed that they use non-standardized assessments more frequently due to: 1) time, 2) access, and 3) meaningfulness of results. Less commonly used were standardized assessments of cognition, goal setting, life skills, and sensory function. Cognition assessments included: Allen Cognitive Level Screen (ACLS) and Executive Function Performance Test (EFPT). The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) is used by occupational therapists to set client-centered goals. The Kohlman Evaluation of Life Skills (KELS) is currently used to assess life skills. Sensory functions are assessed using the Adolescent Adult Sensory Profile (AASP).
CONCLUSIONS: OT practitioners in a variety of mental health settings who treat people with SUDs primarily use non-standardized assessments; however, it is important to incorporate appropriate assessments to determine the efficacy of OT intervention and justify the need for OT services. Due to the growing epidemic of SUD, OT practitioners will likely treat clients with SUD in mental health and non-mental health settings. It is important for occupational therapists to incorporate appropriate assessments to obtain accurate information to support and justify the need for OT services, determine the priorities of clients, and measure the efficacy of interventions.
References
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2015). Trends & Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/nationwide-trends
American Occupational Therapy Association. (2002). Tips for living: Overcoming drug and alcohol abuse. Retrieved from https://www.aota.org/-/media/Corporate/Files/AboutOT/consumers/MentalHealth/Drugs/SubAbuse.pdf
