Occupational Therapists' Perceptions on Orthopedic Injuries and Cognitive Deficits

Research Objectives: This study aims to address the knowledge and perceptions occupational therapists possess in identifying a correlation between cognitive impairments and compliance with precautions following a new orthopedic injury.

Design: Materials used within this study included a quantitative survey administered by the software, Qualtrics. The survey had a total of 20 questions.

Setting: Participants were recruited through virtual forum in fall 2021.

Participants: Inclusion criteria: registered and licensed occupational therapists and members of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).

Interventions: No interventions.

Main Outcome Measures: Provide insight into the importance of incorporating cognitive screening into orthopedic procedures.
Determine if occupational therapists feel cognition is being adequately assessed.
Investigate if cognitive screening is being completed on admission.

Results: Eighty-seven percent (n=61) of participants reported they felt patients would have improved long-term outcomes if there was an increased emphasis on cognitive screenings following orthopedic injuries. Furthermore, 77% believe patients are not adequately assessed for cognition. Occupational therapists (80%, n=60) reported this issue affects their practice. All participants reported cognition affects a patient’s compliance to follow precautions following injury often (51%, n=31) or somewhat often (49%, n=30). Twenty-seven percent (n=45) of participants reported being consulted to assess cognition pre/post surgery.

Conclusions: The results of this study indicated that participants overwhelmingly reported (87%) they believed there would be improved outcomes if their patients were screened for cognition. However, participants reported only 27% are consulted pre or post-surgery. Seventy-seven percent of participants also reported they felt patients are not adequately being screened for cognition. If individuals with a cognitive deficit are unable to follow these precautions following surgery, their ability to return to a prior level of functioning, quality of life post discharge, continuum of care, productivity level, and level of independence in daily functional tasks can be negatively impacted. Further research is needed to examine the ability of individuals with a cognitive deficit to follow precautions after an orthopedic injury and how this affects their return to a prior level of function.

Author(s) Disclosures: No financial disclosures to report.