Comparison of equipment prescriptions in the toilet/bathroom by occupational therapists using home visits and digital photos, for patients in rehabilitation.
OBJECTIVE
Home visits, used by occupational therapists to facilitate independence and enhance safety, are effective but costly and time consuming. This research aims to establish the level of agreement in equipment prescribed by occupational therapists using: digital photographs only, and using home visits and digital photographs, respectively.


METHODS
Quasi-experimental methodological design conducted in private dwellings in the community in Adelaide with rehabilitation patients and their family members. The equipment recommended by occupational therapists for the toilet and bathroom using similar methods (both digital photographs from previous data; n = 5) was compared with equipment recommended using different methods (conventional home visits vs. digital photographs; n = 14).


RESULTS
Percent agreement for equipment prescribed between groups, that is digital only and home visit/photography, respectively, were: 72.5/83.9% for toilet; 87.4/88.3% for bathroom and 83/87% for toilet and bathroom. Variability of agreement in the equipment prescribed showed that some items of equipment were incongruently prescribed, by both methods for toilet and bathroom areas.


CONCLUSIONS
Using digital photographs taken by family members, patient information, and an equipment list is a reliable method of making accurate equipment prescriptions in the toilet and bathroom areas. To enhance accuracy, in-depth patient information via face-to-face interview and measurements of physical environment should be included.
Occupational Therapy, Society for the Physically Disabled, SPD Ability Centre, Singapore.
Sharon
S
Sim
Christopher J
CJ
Barr
Stacey
S
George
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers; D003657:Decision Making; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006792:House Calls; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D010358:Patient Participation; D010781:Photography; D055656:Prescriptions; D014038:Toilet Facilities
ageing; domains of function; focus for assessment; home assessment; rehabilitation services