title: Assessment practices of Canadian occupational therapists working with adults with mental disorders.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Little is known about assessment practices of occupational therapists working with adults with mental disorders.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study investigates the assessment practices of occupational therapists working with clients experiencing symptoms of schizophrenia or major depressive disorder.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a national survey of assessment practices using case vignettes of hypothetical clients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From 343 vignettes completed by 286 respondents, 68.4% included the use of one or more standardized measures during treatment. Measures were rarely repeated. Results showed that the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure was the most frequently used, suggesting a focus on assessing global functioning, while the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills was listed as the most desired assessment tool. Implementing nonstandardized assessments was common.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite wide variations in occupational therapists' assessment practices, the use of standardized assessments is prevalent. The low rate of repeated measures (0% to 25.9%) suggests a need to better monitor changes and treatment outcomes.
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rouleau
authors.forename: Karyne
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dion
authors.forename: Nicol
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Korner-Bitensky
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D019937:Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult