Which assessment is commonly used in occupational therapy evaluations?

The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) is a widely recognized tool in occupational therapy evaluations. This assessment focuses on identifying and prioritizing the patient’s self-reported occupational performance issues, encompassing areas such as self-care, productivity, and leisure. The COPM allows clients to express their personal goals and the importance of these goals in their daily lives, making it particularly relevant in occupational therapy, where client-centered care is paramount.

Using the COPM, therapists work collaboratively with clients to assess how they perceive their performance in various daily activities and how satisfied they are with these performances. This approach underscores the importance of client input in determining which areas to focus on during therapy, fostering a sense of ownership over the therapy process and outcomes.

In contrast, the other options mentioned—such as the Beck Depression Inventory and the Mini-Mental State Examination—are more suited for psychological assessments, focusing specifically on mental health conditions rather than functional performance in everyday tasks. The Global Assessment of Functioning provides a broader understanding of an individual's psychological, social, and occupational functioning but does not specifically target the performance issues in daily activities that are central to occupational therapy practice. Therefore, the COPM is distinctively aligned with the goals and methodology of occupational therapy, making it the appropriate choice