The Role of an OT as a Benefit Claims Assessor

For an upcoming uni task, I have had to create a leaflet based on how, as an OT, I could market myself to GPs through assessing for return to work and "fit notes".

Having completed a module on Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) two years ago, and writing an Extended Research Proposal about cognitive VR Assessments I felt that I was pretty clued up about OT and VR. I had never had to research the specifics of the assessments though and was very shocked with what I found. Between 2008 and 2011 Incapacity Benefit was replaced by Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and the process of claiming ESA involves completing a questionnaire and then possibly being called for a medical assessment. For my assignment I chose to focus on the role of the OT completing this Work Capability Assessment (WCA).

There is a copy of the questionnaire on the DirectGov website and the general aim is to discover how the claimant's illness/disability affects their abilities. It is broken down into several sections, including mobility, manual dexterity, concentration, communication and anxiety. The inclusion of both physical and mental capabilities suggests that the person who wrote this questionnaire has experience in both areas, like an OT. The questions are all graded, for example "Can you move around and use steps without difficulty? / Can you walk 50 metres without needing to stop? / Can you walk 200 metres without needing to stop?", I'd say that they look like they have been written by an OT.

The information provided on the medical assessments states that an interview will be carried out to discuss any previous employment, brief medical history, domestic situation, how the illness/disability affects performance in everyday tasks and an outline of a typical daily routine. This sounds like a good basis for an OT Initial Interview to me. The medical assessment may also contain a physical assessment which looks at ability to perform certain physical movements, functional anatomy anyone?

So imagine my surprise when I see on the Atos Healthcare website (who conduct the WCA assessments) that they employ Doctors, Nurses and Physiotherapists. But NO Occupational Therapists.

The College of Occupational Therapists have published information about how OTs can help GPs meet their NHS Priorities, one of which is to support patients back into work through WCA and Fit Notes, but it does not seem like this information has got through to the wider world of health and social care.

I actually found the leaflet a struggle to produce, as it appeared to me that it was just common sense to have an OT complete the WCA. OTs are trained to analyse activity breaking it down into both physical and cognitive demands and adapt the environment or occupation to allow for independence.

I really hope that this is going to change soon, because it just doesn't make sense to me!

Useful links:

DirectGov website : http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Illorinjured/DG_171894

Atos Healthcare website : http://www.atoshealthcare.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=126&Itemid=425



Visit from COT Student Officer

At my university we have a student-led regional BAOT group that organises monthly events and talks. Although I am not part of the committee for this, I am a regular attendee and many of my friends are involved in the committee.

Several months ago I noticed via twitter that Fiona Fraser (COT Student Officer) was beginning a tour of universities and so I invited her to present as part of our student group. This very event happened during the week and it gave me lots to think about.

Firstly I learnt that this event was a bit of a first. It was the first presentation that Fiona had been a part of that had been organised through twitter. This lead onto a pre-event discussion about how personally and professionally we are moving into a technological age where more and more networking is done on line. I can (and have) go on for hours about the benefits of social media for our profession as a whole, and for an individuals' continuing professional development, so I'll save that for another time ... if you're really interested there is an older post that touches on the subject.

Fiona's presentation was entitled "Developing your toolkit:  Constructing a career that enhances the profession and helps you fulfil your potential" she included a brief overview of several topics including BAOT/COT; Specialist Sections; CPD; Job prospects and Personal Development. Fiona provided many tips for students in all years, and the few practitioners that were in attendance.

The biggest thing that I will take away from this event is that CPD can be fun! In university, CPD has always appeared as a heavy chain that hangs around your neck from the moment you qualify. It is something that requires extensive time to attend conferences and write up reflections. There is a cost to attending these conferences which often appears completely impossible on a student loan budget (!)

However, Fiona presented a different side. A picture of CPD being about what you come across on a daily basis that makes you think, even just for a second, about being an OT.

• That news article where no-body reported that the individual had seen an OT, even though you know they must have ...
• That film that dealt with a mental health issue, or included a character with a physical disability ...
• The person you spoke to on the bus this morning who had never heard of OT ...

I know that each persons' CPD is theirs to make their own and that is why mine contains a lot about my contribution to social media, and a lot of my CPD can be found online, through this blog and my twitter account, but it was refreshing to hear these being encouraged. 

The final message that I will take with me from the event was nicely summed up in the badges we received as we left and a quote from the presentation "there is no such thing as an overly enthusiastic or too geeky OT"