Why Should Occupational Therapists be the Insurance Bureau of Canada’s Provider of Choice for In-Home Assessments? OCT 1131: Occupational Therapy Practice I October 14 th, 2004 Presented by: Alda Melo, Victoria Prooday, Zahra Jamal, Silvia Bernal, Brenda Dorey & Shira Tenenbaum

Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) IBC is the national trade association of non- government property and casualty insurers. The IBC identifies and monitors key policy issues affecting the general insurance industry, and develops appropriate policy papers and strategies

Context For years IBC has funded various health professionals, both regulated and unregulated, to conduct in-home assessments

Context Under Bill 198 (2003) only regulated health care professionals are authorized to do home assessments in the automotive sector (Insurance Bureau of Canada, 2003) Occupational Therapists should be the provider of choice for in-home assessments so there is consistency across assessments and intervention recommendations

Agenda Home Assessment definition & purpose What do OT’s bring to a home assessment? How can OT’s benefit the IBC? Summary Q&A

Home Assessment Performed as part of the treatment plan for an injured client Analyzes the components of a specific home environment relevant to a particular client

Home Assessment Ergonomic risk factors and the need for assisting devices are also assessed Results are used to make recommendations to insurance companies about rehabilitation interventions (IBC, 2004)

What do OT’s Bring to the Home Assessment? Unique theoretical perspective that recognizes the importance of the interaction between person, occupation and environment (Kennedy, 1997) Occupational Performance Law et al, 1996

What do OT’s Bring to the Home Assessment? Client-centered approach that is holistic in nature Educated professionals with knowledge of biological, behavioral, social and occupational sciences (Kennedy, 1997)

How Can OT’s Benefit the IBC? Help stabilize costs in the rehabilitation sector Effective rehabilitation reduces cost Continuity between assessment and rehabilitation treatment

How Can OT’s Benefit the IBC? Good value for your money Education Standardized tools Westmead Home Safety Assessment (Clemson, 1997) Reduce future claims Hourly Rate (IBC, 2003)

OT is the Choice Occupational therapy is the ideal profession to do home assessments: Knowledge Experience Tools And COST EFFECTIVE!

Q & A

Questions & Discussion  There is a lack of quantitative research to show that occupational therapy is cost-effective - Why do you think this is the case?

The End