An evaluation of Therapy Outcome Measures (TOMs) in community rehabilitation

Background/Aims: This study considers the feasibility of using Therapy Outcome Measure (TOMs) in a community rehabilitation therapy team working with patients over 65 years of age. Methods: An action research approach was used. Data collection and analysis included completion of the outcome measure scores over a 22-week period through semi-structured individual interviews with the therapy team participants, group reflections and the researcher's reflections. Results: Sixty-seven patients were considered in this study, with 26 patient scores included. Nineteen (73%) of those scored for admission and discharge demonstrated sensitivity, with a difference of one score or more. However, the study participants agreed that the TOMs scales and descriptors did not best describe their patient group. They acknowledged that the study had included a small sample size. Conclusions: TOMs was agreed to be an ‘OK fit’ for community rehabilitation patients rather than a ‘best fit’. It should be used as part of a variety of outcome measures to evidence the multidimensional aspects of this speciality, where patients have complex needs and therefore require more complex interventions. This study also highlights the need for further research with a larger sample size.