Occupational therapy hand assessment practices : cause for concern?
Date
2015-08
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Occupational Therapy Association of South Africa
Abstract
Introduction: Assessment is critical for measuring improvement, or lack thereof, and demonstrating the outcome of intervention. In
response to the lack of research in this area, this study aimed to determine the assessment practices of occupational therapists working
with clients with hand conditions.
Methods: A quantitative cross sectional survey design was used. A convenience sample of occupational therapists was recruited from
five provinces. Respondents completed a questionnaire developed for the study that comprised demographic information, assessments
used, frequency of use and factors influencing assessment choice. Data were analysed with Statistica version 11.
Results: Eighty-one respondents (n=114) completed questionnaires representing a 71% response rate. Goniometry (84.0%), manual
muscle testing (76.5%) and testing for flexor tendon function (76.3%) were used most frequently. The most common reasons for not
using assessments were lack of availability and unfamiliarity.
Conclusion: It is of concern that the assessment practices of participants in this study focussed primarily on the assessment of body
function and structure with few therapists using activity and participation measures. This could seriously limit the evidence needed to
verify the outcomes achieved through occupational therapy intervention in the treatment of hand conditions.
Description
CITATION: De Klerk, S., Buchanan, H. & Pretorius, B. 2015. Occupational therapy hand assessment practices : cause for concern? South African Journal of Occupational Therapy, 45(2):43 - 50, doi:10.17159/2310-3833/2015/v45n2a7.
The original publication is available at http://www.sajot.co.za
The original publication is available at http://www.sajot.co.za
Keywords
Body image, Occupational therapy, Hand -- Wounds and injuries
Citation
De Klerk, S., Buchanan, H. & Pretorius, B. 2015. Occupational therapy hand assessment practices : cause for concern? South African Journal of Occupational Therapy, 45(2):43 - 50, doi:10.17159/2310-3833/2015/v45n2a7.