THE ACCREDITATION OF VOCATIONAL ASSESSMENT AREAS: PROPOSED STANDARD STATEMENT AND MEASUREMENT CRITERIA

Abstract

Vocational Rehabilitation Programmes managed by occupational therapists and the emphasis placed on continuous quality improvement in service delivery, resulted in the question: "How can occupational therapists ensure that the quality of vocational assessment services delivered to clients are of an acceptable standard?"

The study aimed to address the question by developing a standard statement and measurement criteria for the assessment of work abilities of clients using the Donabedian approach for setting standards of practice.

Two rounds of questionnaires, using a Delphi survey method, resulted in the formulation of a standard statement and measurement criteria for the Structure, Process and Outcome of work assessment areas where the work abilities of clients are assessed. The standard statement and the accompanying measurement criteria set the basic standards for quality assurance and can contribute to the implementation of continuous quality improvement processes in vocational assessment areas that can result in the accreditation of vocational rehabilitation programmes managed by occupational therapists.