Abstract
Various role assessment tools in occupational therapy have been developed to help the clinician understand role performance and role adjustment and guide the structure of intervention. This study was designed to examine the clinician’s perceptions of standardized role assessment tools in physical disability settings. A random sample of 450 occupational therapists was surveyed to learn about therapists’ knowledge of four published role assessment tools. The study also examined the frequency of tool use in the acute care hospital, the rehabilitation center, and the long-term care facility.
The results from 236 questionnaires (a 52% response rate) indicated that more than half of the respondents reported that their current initial evaluation did not effectively address role performance. Additionally, most of the therapists surveyed had a poor understanding of the four standardized role assessment tools, and only 5% were using an assessment instrument in their practice. The respondents reported a desire to learn more about these instruments and how they affect treatment planning. Training implications, educational opportunities, and recommendations for future research are discussed.