The OT Process Explained

The OT process includes the following steps: the evaluation process, the intervention process, and the outcome process.

Included in the evaluation process is the referral, screening, and occupational profile.  Referral for OT services most often comes from a physician, which is required for reimbursement and liability.  OT screening includes an interview and observation of the client by the therapist. The occupational profile can be beneficial for collecting information about the client's roles, daily activities, and activities of interest.  The evaluation process is critical for collecting all needed information about the client and for forming a client-therapist relationship.

The intervention process has three basic steps: plan, implement, and monitor.  The therapist should try to select purposeful activities that will be meaningful to the client.  The collaboration of the client and therapist will result in successful interventions.  Providing a "just right challenge" by grading the activity up or down to fit the needs of the client is important for best intervention treatments.  Occupation in the step often used as a means of intervention in order to meet the end goals.  As intervention progresses, the therapist should reevaluate the progress and selected interventions to adjust goals and treatment.

Last in the OT process is the outcomes.  This is the part of the process where the therapist must decide to continue or discontinue services.  If the client has not met the desired goals or has new goals to work on, the OT process may repeat itself. Discharge planning includes all people involved including the therapist, client, family, and other disciplinary teams.  All variables of the clients well-being must be considered in discharge planning.  In discharging a client, a discontinuation summary is written.  Documentation in this step and throughout the whole process is crucial for best care and for legal and ethical reasons as well.

That is a simplified short version of the OT process.  Stay tuned for more OT knowledge!