Assistive Devices Prescription in Occupational Therapy
Prescribe the appropriate therapeutic aids, devices, and equipment as required by clients
Type
Domain
Competency Area
Patient Care
Levels
Prescribe assistive devices for routine cases independently
Identify problem areas in occupational performance and the need for assistive devices
Identify client capacity and ability to perform activities with assistive devices
Assess the prospective users’ functioning and consider their personal variables such as age, goals, personality, co- morbid conditions and environment
Explain the selected appropriate assistive equipment in collaboration with clients and/or caregivers
Arrange trials to determine if the assistive devices are suitable for clients in terms of performance and safety
Train the clients in the function, safe use and maintenance of assistive devices
Review goals with clients following prescription of assistive devices
Consult with other specialists, where appropriate, about specific issues related to clients’ needs
Stay updated with new assistive technology
Determine clients and/or caregivers’ acceptance
Prescribe assistive devices for routine and complex cases independently.
Appraise new assistive devices available in the market
Assist in trials to determine if the assistive devices new in the market are suitable for client groups in terms of performance and safety
Audit the processes and effectiveness of the assistive device prescriptions performed by staff
Guide junior staff in the assessment, evaluation, prescription and training of assistive devices and compliance to the use of assistive equipment
Account for possible client changes which may affect the efficacy of the prescriptions
Analyse possible factors which may result in non- use of assistive devices
Identify the need for fund applications, and trigger the necessary referral processes, if applicable
Integrate the use of new and/or leading assistive devices during client interventions
Lead evaluation of assistive devices on reliability, validity, interpretability, acceptability, feasibility and utility
Lead the use of new assistive devices as part of therapy interventions
Lead trials of new assistive devices before deployment into the clinical setting
Develop clinical standards regarding the prescription of assistive devices
Co-develop assistive devices with counterparts from other disciplinary fields such as engineering and designers
Develop assistive devices evaluation frameworks