Examining the construct validity of the Cognitive Competency Test for occupational therapy practice.
BACKGROUND
Enhancing occupational therapy practice requires critical examination of assessment tools and the conclusions being drawn from their use. When working with cognitively impaired older individuals, judgments about occupational competence are often informed by an assessment of cognitive competence.


OBJECTIVE
The Cognitive Competency Test (CCT) is a frequently used measure in Canada to inform predictions of occupational competence. However, there is an absence of published evidence that addresses its validity.


METHODS
To appraise validity of the CCT, a retrospective chart review (n = 107) of CCT reports for inpatient and outpatient clients with cognitive impairment was conducted. Data were subjected to exploratory factor analyses to examine the factor structure, and the measure was compared with commonly used clinical variables reflecting cognitive and occupational competence.


RESULTS
Results suggest that the CCT measures a unitary construct and provide some support for its predictive capacity.


CONCLUSIONS
CCT scores can add incremental validity to cognitive screens, such as the Mini Mental State Exam, when evaluating occupational competence.
Graduate Program in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada. briana.zur@outlook.com
Briana M
BM
Zur
Debbie Laliberte
DL
Rudman
Andrew M
AM
Johnson
Eric A
EA
Roy
Jennie L
JL
Wells
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002170:Canada; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000592:standards; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies