Abstract
Abstract
Background/Aims Promoting the wellbeing of service users is a core focus in
occupational therapy and adult social care. Despite a professional, policy and legal
mandate to provide evidence of the effectiveness of occupational therapy interventions
in adult social care, few local authority teams in England use standardised outcome
measures to assess the impact of interventions on wellbeing. One local authority’s
occupational therapy service in England sought to address this by introducing the Adult
Social Care Outcomes Toolkit. This study explored the Adult Social Care Outcomes
Toolkit’s clinical utility (usefulness) in this setting. As the Adult Social Care Outcomes
Toolkit has multiple translations, this research is relevant to international practice.
Methods This qualitative study collated the views and experiences of occupational
therapy staff using the Adult Social Care Outcomes Toolkit in practice. Data from an
online focus group were thematically analysed.
Results Four themes were identified relating to: understanding the Adult Social Care
Outcomes Toolkit; using it in daily practice; applying it to the local authority occupational
therapy context; and the felt experience of using the Toolkit. Broadly, participants were
keen to measure wellbeing, liked the Adult Social Care Outcomes Toolkit in principle
and noted its relevance to occupational therapy practice in adult social care. Some
concerns were raised about the Adult Social Care Outcomes Toolkit’s complexity and
completion times.
Conclusions This first known study of using the Adult Social Care Outcomes Toolkit in
occupational therapy practice in adult social care provides key insights into its clinical
utility. Findings may be of interest to practitioners, commissioners and service providers.
Implications for practice The Adult Social Care Outcomes Toolkit has potential for
use as an outcome measure in social care occupational therapy, though there are some
barriers to use in practice. Alternative versions of the instrument offer solutions, though
some limitations may remain. This novel study highlights the importance of clinician
feedback and thorough consideration of an outcome measure’s clinical utility.
Background/Aims Promoting the wellbeing of service users is a core focus in
occupational therapy and adult social care. Despite a professional, policy and legal
mandate to provide evidence of the effectiveness of occupational therapy interventions
in adult social care, few local authority teams in England use standardised outcome
measures to assess the impact of interventions on wellbeing. One local authority’s
occupational therapy service in England sought to address this by introducing the Adult
Social Care Outcomes Toolkit. This study explored the Adult Social Care Outcomes
Toolkit’s clinical utility (usefulness) in this setting. As the Adult Social Care Outcomes
Toolkit has multiple translations, this research is relevant to international practice.
Methods This qualitative study collated the views and experiences of occupational
therapy staff using the Adult Social Care Outcomes Toolkit in practice. Data from an
online focus group were thematically analysed.
Results Four themes were identified relating to: understanding the Adult Social Care
Outcomes Toolkit; using it in daily practice; applying it to the local authority occupational
therapy context; and the felt experience of using the Toolkit. Broadly, participants were
keen to measure wellbeing, liked the Adult Social Care Outcomes Toolkit in principle
and noted its relevance to occupational therapy practice in adult social care. Some
concerns were raised about the Adult Social Care Outcomes Toolkit’s complexity and
completion times.
Conclusions This first known study of using the Adult Social Care Outcomes Toolkit in
occupational therapy practice in adult social care provides key insights into its clinical
utility. Findings may be of interest to practitioners, commissioners and service providers.
Implications for practice The Adult Social Care Outcomes Toolkit has potential for
use as an outcome measure in social care occupational therapy, though there are some
barriers to use in practice. Alternative versions of the instrument offer solutions, though
some limitations may remain. This novel study highlights the importance of clinician
feedback and thorough consideration of an outcome measure’s clinical utility.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 4 Dec 2025 |
Keywords
- Clinical utility; Occupational therapy; Outcome measurement; Social care; Wellbeing