Assessments in Occupational Therapy

Mental Health

All case should be screened initially using the following:

TAGCANSAS

Assessment Process

Following that OT shall conduct a specific assessment using the

FAA

Assessment Process

Structured assessment scales to further identify problem areas:

Barthel IndexDomestic AssessmentRole ChecklistInterest ChecklistWork AssessmentMini Mental State Examination (MMSE)Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM)

Assessment Process

Threshold Assessment GridBrief assessment of the severity of an

individual’s mental health problems.Simple in easily used in categorizing patients'

problems comprehensively7 domains : safety (2 aspects)

risk (2 aspects) needs and disabilities (3 aspects)

All aspects need to be assessed

TAG

Each aspects is assessed by level of severityUsed during clinical interview psychosocial

assessmentProblems that take place a month prior to the

assessment

TAG

Scoring:

None/mild : All domains that are problem free or mild problems

Moderate : Only one domain scored as moderate is required to categorise client in this level

Severe: Only one domain scored as severe is required to categorise client in this level

TAG

Camberwell Assessment of Need Short Appraisal Schedule.

A brief & simple assessment of the needs of people with severe mental health problems.

Designed for clinical use and research.Assesses client’s needs holistically &

comprehensively.

CANSAS

Assesses problems during the last one month in 23 domains of life.

Involve an interview with a service user (the term used to cover patient/client/consumer – the person being assessed) carer or staff member.

The interviewee’s reply is recorded directly, even if the interviewer disagrees with his or her view.

CANSAS

Each assessment uses one column.Circle the letter indicating who is being assessed:

(U=user, S=staff, C=carer)Record the date and initials of the interviewer.Suggested questions – to open discussion on each

domain.Supplementary questions should be asked where

necessary with the goal of establishing:a) Whether the user has a serious mental problem

in this domain; andb) If the user does have a serious problem whether

he/she is getting effective help.

CANSAS

On the basis of the interviewee’s responses, a ‘need rating’ is made for the last month:

0 = no need (i.e no serious problem)1 = met need (i.e no/moderate problem

due to help given)2 = unmet need (i.e no/moderate

problem, whether or not help is given)

9 = not known

CANSAS

The need rating is made using the following guidelines:

i. If a serious problem is present (regardless of cause or whether or not any help is being given) then rate 2 (unmet need).

ii. If there is no serious problem because help is being given (e.g. family support, sheltered housing, psychotherapy, medication) then rate 1 (met need).

iii. If there are no problems in this area, then rate 0 (no need).

iv. If the person being interviewed does not know or does not want to answer questions on this domain, then rate 9 (not known).

CANSAS

Just because there is currently no problem, the need rating is not automatically 0.

A need can exist for a variety reasons.

CANSAS

Done after an initial clinical interview.All aspects of basic needs are to be assessed

during the first meeting.Repeat every 6 months.Needs that are not met have to be given due

attention while those met have to be monitored.

CANSAS

To determine client’s ability to function in basic living skills.

Combine of interview and observation of task performance.

Use as a guide: Establish of care plan Monitor client’s progress Discharge planning

Administer at the beginning of OT & at appropriate intervals.

FAA

TO BE CONTINUED ;)