Standardized Assessments revised

Standardized Assessments
Name
Institution

Standardized Assessments
Use of Standardized Assessments in Occupational Therapy
Standardized assessments provide a baseline for documentation of patient information and progress. The utilization of these assessments helps therapists to validate the efficacy of their practice (Piernik-Yoder & Beck, 2012). As one of the goals, these evaluations demonstrate a clear focus on evidence-based practice. Although currently, we do not evaluate, we read the assessments before engaging patients in any form of treatment; this helps us with proper decision-making, as we are able to determine the appropriate medical intervention. As such, we make the use of various standardized assessments such as the Functional Independence Measure that is used to test the daily activities covering cognitive and psychosocial areas, the Functional Assessment Measure, and the Barthel index test that assesses personal activities of daily life especially in patients with neuromuscular conditions among others. These measures present a common language through which therapists evaluate the success of treatment interventions. Thus, they offer a basis for tracking progress and even comparing results that are associated with various intervention approaches.
Most helpful Assessment in Occupational Therapy
The most effective assessment that is used in my area of practice is the Functional Independence Measure that helps elderly people with their activities of daily living.

This measure enables occupational therapists to understand patients better, including their mode of expression, memory status, as well as the capacity to solve problems. This test is crucial as it allows occupational therapists to formulate interventions that are more specific to each patient. Understanding the cognitive status of a client is very critical as it enables one to adapt interventions that are more effective and as well maximize the independence of a patient. More so, this method of assessment has helped me understand the importance of objective data, which leads to an improved patient outcome. It has also taught me the significance of ensuring that no deficits remain while attending to patients with the evidence-based and individualized forms of treatment.

Reference
Piernik-Yoder, B., & Beck, A. (2012). The use of standardized assessments in occupational therapy in the United States. Occupational therapy in health care, 26(2-3), 97-108.