Authors (including presenting author) :
Poon A (1), Chan SY (1), Yuan WS (1), Wan CN (1), Tam SH (1), Chang LM (1), Won SW (1), Ip WM (1), Lau M (1)
Affiliation :
(1) Occupational Therapy Department, Shatin Hospital
Keyword 1: :
ADL Assessment
Keyword 2: :
Nurturing Smart Workforce
Introduction :
Nurturing a smart workforce will be a key focus for occupational therapy (OT) over the next five years. Current challenges in Activities of Daily Living (ADL) assessments included inconsistent assessment timelines, varying definitions of patient readiness, and disparate approaches to managing hospital constraints. Additionally, there is a lack of consensus on addressing different task demands within the same assessment item across the care pathway, alongside varied interpretations of brief scoring instructions. To effectively implement standardized ADL assessments, specialized training for OTs is essential.
Objectives :
The primary aim is to enhance the standardization and validity of ADL assessments while increasing the consistency and competency of occupational therapists in this area.
Methodology :
To achieve these objectives, the initiative included two components:
1. Standardized practice of ADL assessment in January 2025 - Conducted a needs assessment to identify current practices, service gaps and frequently misinterpreted assessment items related to ADL. - Developed internal reference guides covering standardized core tasks in each domain, necessary assessment materials, assessment environment, and guidelines for scoring and interpretation. - Created 33 reference videos outlining a step-by-step process for assessing, scoring and interpreting ADLs. - Uploaded all training guides and reference videos to the department's internal reference platform, allowing OTs easy access via electronic or computer devices anytime and anywhere.
2. Staff training, engagement and evaluation from February to March 2025 - Implemented specialized training and evaluation for OTs focusing on understanding assessment materials, the assessment environment, procedures for conducting assessments, scoring guidelines and result interpretation.
Result & Outcome :
Two sessions of specialized training were conducted with a participation rate of 74.2% among OTs. The Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test indicated significant improvements in several areas:
- Literacy & consistency (z=-2.93, P=0.00), competence in preparing and setting up assessments (Z=-1.73, P=0.00), conducting formal assessments (Z=-2.07, P=0.03) and interpreting assessment results (Z=-2.27, P=0.02), reflecting a substantial enhancement in OT abilities and efficacy.
- Enhanced implementation of the reference guides and reference videos by 85%, frontline OTs provided positive feedback on the reference videos, noting that they were "easy to understand," contained "interesting and informative content," and were "concise and to the point." Conclusion:
The Occupational Therapy Department at Shatin Hospital has implemented a tailored training strategy to improve consistency and competency in ADL assessments. By prioritizing specialized training and addressing existing service gaps, we can significantly enhance OT competencies and align practices in rating. Engaging and developing a skilled workforce will ultimately lead to improved therapy outcomes and enhanced overall service quality. Future plan to develop smart electronic in-house training platform in ADL assessment for staff refreshment and training.
