Measuring Outcomes using the Australian Therapy Outcome Measures for Occupational Therapy (AusTOMs-OT): Data Description and Tool Sensitivity

2005 ◽  
Vol 68 (8) ◽  
pp. 354-366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolyn A Unsworth

Although there is increasing demand for greater accountability from occupational therapists for the outcomes of their practice, there are few quick, simple and psychometrically sound tools available to measure these outcomes. This paper reports on the first data collection exercise using a new outcome measure, the Australian Therapy Outcome Measures for Occupational Therapy (AusTOMs-OT). The aims of this paper are to present the scales, describe the data set and examine whether the scales are sufficiently sensitive to detect change over time in client status. Data were collected with 466 clients at 12 metropolitan and rural health care facilities using the 12 AusTOM-OT scales, which rate the client in relation to the four domains of Impairment, Activity limitation, Participation restriction and Distress/wellbeing. The findings indicated that the most frequently used scales were Self-care, Upper limb use, Transfers and Functional walking and mobility, and that all scales were successful in demonstrating statistically significant client change over time. The AusTOMs-OT can be used to document client outcomes in relation to four important practice domains and thus be of value in research and quality assurance activities seeking to provide evidence that occupational therapy does make a difference to the lives of clients.

2018 ◽  
Vol 59 (6) ◽  
pp. 1103-1111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joukje C Swinkels ◽  
Marjolein I Broese van Groenou ◽  
Alice de Boer ◽  
Theo G van Tilburg

Abstract Background and Objectives The general view is that partner-caregiver burden increases over time but findings are inconsistent. Moreover, the pathways underlying caregiver burden may differ between men and women. This study examines to what degree and why partner-caregiver burden changes over time. It adopts Pearlin’s Caregiver Stress Process Model, as it is expected that higher primary and secondary stressors will increase burden and larger amounts of resources will lower burden. Yet, the impact of stressors and resources may change over time. The wear-and-tear model predicts an increase of burden due to a stronger impact of stressors and lower impact of resources over time. Alternatively, the adaptation model predicts a decrease of burden due to a lower impact of stressors and higher impact of resources over time. Research Design and Methods We used 2 observations with a 1-year interval of 279 male and 443 female partner-caregivers, derived from the Netherlands Older Persons and Informal Caregivers Survey Minimum Data Set. We applied multilevel regression analysis, stratified by gender. Results Adjusted for all predictors, caregiver burden increased over time for both men and women. For female caregivers, the impact of poor spousal health on burden increased and the impact of fulfillment decreased over time. Among male caregivers, the impact of predictors did not change over time. Discussion and Implications The increase of burden over time supports the wear-and-tear model, in particular for women. This study highlights the need for gender-specific interventions that are focused on enabling older partners to be better prepared for long-term partner-care.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Róisín Kearns ◽  
Nancy Salmon ◽  
Mairead Cahill ◽  
Eithne Egan

Purpose No occupational therapy outcome measures have been designed specifically for recovery-orientated services.This paper aims to identify occupational therapy outcome measures relevant to mental health practice and assess them against recovery principles adopted by Irish Mental Health Services. Design/methodology/approach A narrative review methodology was used to appraise outcome measures against CHIME recovery principles. Findings A systematic search across 13 databases identified eight well-established outcome measures commonly used within occupational therapy mental health literature. The included outcome measures were appraised using a recovery alignment tool. Practical implications All outcome measures connected to some recovery processes. Those using semi-structured interview formats and notably the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) had the strongest alignment to recovery processes. Originality/value This is the first known review which provides some validation that the included outcome measures support recovery processes, yet the measures rely heavily on therapist’s skills for processes to be facilitated. It recommends that ways to better support the process of partnership in occupational therapy mental health outcome measures be explored and further research be undertaken.


2021 ◽  
pp. 135245852098753
Author(s):  
Marcus W Koch ◽  
Jop P Mostert ◽  
Bernard Uitdehaag ◽  
Gary Cutter

Background: The expanded disability status scale (EDSS) is the standard clinical outcome measure in primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS), even though the timed 25-foot walk (T25FW), nine-hole peg test (NHPT) or combinations of these measures may be more useful. The paced auditory serial addition test (PASAT) is a widely used cognitive measure in MS, but little is known about change in PASAT scores over time in PPMS. Objective: The objective of this study is to compare clinical outcome measures in a large PPMS trial data set. Methods: We determined significant worsening events on the EDSS, T25FW and NHPT, and PASAT scores over the course of this 3-year trial. We compared unconfirmed, confirmed and sustained disability worsening and contrasted disability worsening with similarly defined improvement. We examined the association of baseline characteristics with the risk of disability worsening at 12, 24 and 36 months with logistic regression models. Results: The EDSS and T25FW showed most worsening events, while only few patients worsened on the NHPT. Adding the NHPT to a combined outcome added only few further worsening events. PASAT scores slightly increased over time, possibly due to a practice effect. Conclusion: Both the EDSS and T25FW, but not NHPT or PASAT, appear to be useful outcome measures in PPMS.


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