THE USE OF ASSESSMENT TOOLS IN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
Written by Janet O’Neill
T
he role of OH in sickness absence is well known, because as a profession we understand that being at work is better for health and wellbeing than being out of work. Therefore, our aim is to support employees in remaining at work or returning to work earlier. With sickness absence rising in 2019, 2020 and very likely 2021 due to the current pandemic, more so than ever will OH be relied upon to assist with sickness absence. An employer commonly refers an individual to OH when an individual is struggling in work, there is a risk of them falling out of work or when the individual has already had sickness absence, whether long term, potentially long term, or significant episodes of absence. The referral contains a number of questions posed to the clinician in relation to the health of the individual so that the manager/employer can obtain information to aid their management of that individual. It is well known that the line manager is the most significant person in the individuals working life and has the most influence (NICE) and therefore they need the guidance OH can provide them. However, our added value is the clinical support we can also provide to the employee, therefore reflecting well on the employer.
During the appointment with OH, the clinician needs to assess the individual clinically, using the biopsychosocial model, so as to obtain information on their health matched to work. Taking the information gained, the OH clinician then uses critical thinking skills to make decisions so as to provide justified and evidence-based advice to the employer, answering the questions they have posed. A quality outcome report is essential for a productive partnership between the employer and OH and this requires justification taken from the assessment. Using motivational interviewing skills, they support work as an outcome goal for the individual whilst providing professional and credible clinical advice. This would not be possible without an effective assessment of the individual’s functional capability matched to work, a type of assessment unique to OH. Assessing functional capability requires an objective but empathetic assessment which is evidence-based. This evidence, not only comes from research but from the use of evidence-based tools, of which there are many. The use of health assessment tools allows for information to be collected systematically and facilitates proficiency in critical thinking, recognising patterns, and evaluating function. This is
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