Introduction
Assessment in recreational therapy involves evaluating an individual’s physical, cognitive, emotional, and social functioning. The assessment seeks to determine a person’s rehabilitation needs and goals. This process typically involves several steps and methods, and recreational therapists can use several evidence-based assessment tools to evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions and measure outcomes. Two commonly used assessment tools by recreational therapists are the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) and the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). The tools are considered effective in recreational therapy due to the high validity and reliability of outcomes.
Discussion
The World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) assesses the level of disability experienced by an individual in different areas of life. It is designed to be used with individuals of any age and across different cultures, languages, and settings. The WHODAS is designed to evaluate the impact of disability on a person desiring to take part in different activities for leisure or recreation. Castro et al. (2019) indicate that the WHODAS can be completed in approximately 30 to 60 minutes depending on factors such as the individual’s communication abilities, the complexity of their disability, and the mode of administration. There are 36 questions total, which are broken down into the following six categories: participation, mobility, self-care, getting along, and cognitive functioning.
The WHODAS is a valid and reliable tool for evaluating impairment in recreational therapy. It has very high test-retest reliability, which means that results on the assessment are reliable even when given to the same subject on several dates. Additionally, it has strong construct and criterion-related validity, which means that the assessment results are related to other measures of impairment and that it accurately captures the notion of disability (Castro et al., 2019). The WHODAS requires a small amount of generally accessible material to complete. The WHODAS evaluation tool can be accessed from the World Health Organization (WHO) website or from other places. Other requirements are a pen or pencil, a quiet and private space, and a computer or tablet with an internet connection if administered digitally.
The Functional Independence Measure (FIM) is a standardized instrument designed to assess a person’s level of independence in carrying out instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) and activities of daily living (ADLs). The level of support a person may require can be assessed by rehabilitation therapists using the FIM to evaluate functional independence and impairment. People with physical, cognitive, or emotional impairments who need rehabilitation services are the FIM’s target population for recreational therapy (Valach & Beat, 2018). When assessing functional status and impairment, the FIM is regarded as a valid and reliable tool that has been applied in both academic and clinical settings. The FIM can also be used in conjunction with other evaluations, such as the WHODAS, to assess how a person’s impairment affects their capacity to engage in leisure and recreational activities.
A qualified expert who is acquainted with the evaluation procedure and the scoring system should administer the FIM assessment. A copy of the standard FIM instrument, which consists of 18 items and rates them on a 7-point scale, is one of the materials required. The questions evaluate various facets of functional independence, including social cognition, mobility, communication, and self-care. A list of the patient’s current prescriptions, any assistive devices they may use, a pen or pencil, a ruler or tape measure, a stopwatch or timer, and other items are also needed. The FIM administers the evaluation in 30 to 60 minutes (Valach & Beat, 2018). There are eighteen tasks in total, divided into two groups: motor and cognitive items.
Conclusion
Overall, the WHODAS and FIM are prominent assessment tools that can be used in recreational therapy. The tools can be used independently and in conjunction with one another to assess the level of assistance a person would require and track changes in their functional abilities over time. I can use either tool in assessment as they have shown good reliability and validity in measuring disability in recreational therapy.
References
Castro, S., Leite, C. F., Coenen, M., & Buchalla, C. M. (2019). The World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2 (WHODAS 2.0): Remarks on the need to revise the WHODAS. Cadernos de Saúde Pública, 35(7). Web.
Valach, L., & Beat, S. (2018). The dimensionality of functional independence measure (FIM). International Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Journal, 3(5). Web.