Conference Poster Presentation

This poster presents a quantitative piece of descriptive research providing analysis of routine outcome measurement data, collected within a mental health acute in-patient service. The research was initiated due to the national drive to provide efficient mental health services. This is endorsed by The College of Occupational Therapy which supports the need to investigate new outcome measures to achieve service efficacy.  The aim of the study was to investigate correlations, associations and trends which arose from the data collected.

The service uses the Vona du Toit Model of Creative Ability (VdTMoCA) to inform Occupational Therapy practise and the associated Activity Participation Outcome Measure (APOM) was used to collect routine data. The population of 1038 admissions during 2012 consisted of both males and females. 68.4% of the population had two APOM scores, with the remaining having one. The method of statistical analyses was used to investigate the outcome measure scores. 

Results indicate that there was a significant difference between baseline and final scores with the greatest difference demonstrated within the female population. Of particular relevance was that attendance to Occupational Therapy sessions had the biggest impact on shared variance when compared to other independent variables measured. This may suggest that Occupational Therapy treatment is responsible for the biggest change in correlations between baseline and final APOM’s.

Whilst trends were identified between outcome measurement data recognising a difference in outcomes depending upon OT intervention received, it acknowledges that variables, not considered, may have a greater impact upon recovery. It does however suggest that the VdTMoCA is an effective practise model and the APOM is sensitive in detecting change.