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BE A LEADER IN YOUR FIELD - and take Occupational Therapy forward
Occupational Therapists spend a considerable amount of time undertaking functional assessments and providing supporting documentation. Assessments used by occupational therapists range from those that examine the full gamut of activities of daily living to those that focus on specific components such as range of movement. Assessment addresses the diverse populations occupational therapists interact with, from physical disability to mental health and paediatrics to aged care; as well as the full range of settings from acute intensive care to community, and from neonatal programs to hospice.   

These assessments are based primarily on paper-and-pencil methodologies that create paper work and are time intensive in interpretation and preparation of documentation.

Computers can provide more efficient methods of data entry and reporting than the current paper-and-pen methods. Until now, computing support was largely utilized by people sitting at desks and was not practical for mobile, dynamic therapists who do most of their work standing and moving around.  

Now with the availability of mobile hand-held computers called Pocket PC’s, the therapist can literally carry the computer in his or her pocket and hold it in the palm of the hand. The therapist can then enter data unobtrusively without losing vital contact with the client. Software is available to operate on mobile computers to assist the therapist in direct data collection, data reduction and analysis. Graphical support for pain charts and other images is also in hand. Results from data collection can be exported to Excel and databases such as Access, SQL Server, SPSS and Oracle.

The benefits of using Pocket PC data collection are: 

  • Improved productivity in time saved on paperwork

  • Comprehensive methodology for quality service

  • Efficient capture of clinical data for evidence-based practice

  • Date stamping for medico-legal purposes

  • Data in digital form for research analysis 

The clinician and the researcher will benefit from Pocket PC assisted assessment. Educators can introduce students to the latest, more efficient systems. Be a leader in your field, integrate computer technology into occupational therapy and take the opportunity to advance your practice with a 21st century clipboard!  

Elizabeth Bartholomaeus BAppSc PGradDipHlthSc MSc
Director
Occupational Therapy International Pty Ltd
elizabeth@otinternational.com