The Use of Standardized Assessments in Occupational Therapy in the United States

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of standardized assessments in occupational therapy practice. Five-thousand surveys were mailed to recipients of ADVANCE for OT who indicated their primary role to be a “clinician.” With a response rate of 16%, 794 responses were analyzed. Results include occupational therapists in a pediatric practice setting reporting using standardized assessments more frequently to determine eligibility of services than do adult setting practitioners. Respondents also perceived they have the highest knowledge or skill level in their ability to communicate the results of standardized assessments to their clients and other health professionals, but lacked knowledge or skill level in knowing the difference between criterion and norm-referenced measures. Implications for practice, research, as well as academic and continuing professional education are discussed.

KEYWORDS. :

• Assessment practice
• standardized assessments
• survey