Occupational Therapy Experts Approve of Strategy Encouraging Patient Assertiveness

Source: College of Occupational Therapy

The Choosing Wisely Wales Programme encourages patients to play a bigger role regarding decisions about their care, advising them to ask their doctor four key questions.

These questions include:

• What are my options?
• How likely is it to harm or benefit me?
• Do I really need this?
• What can I do to help myself?

The approach was introduced in order to reduce unnecessary treatments for patients, such as long term medication for the frail and terminally ill, or receiving x-rays for common back pain.

This movement - which already exists in 18 countries - has been welcomed by the College of Occupational Therapy's Poicy Officer for Wales Ruth Crowder.

She said: "I am proud to be part of the Choosing Wisely Wales' steering group and the campaign to help people make the right choices for them.

"There is evidence that excessive intervention or treatment can be counterproductive and in occupational therapy practice we are clear that this approach risks taking away people's ability to do things for themselves.

"Ensuring that interventions are agreed with the patent, that they understand the implications of the options available and explore self-care is effective and a care part of the practice of occupational therapy."