CHAPTER 3: AUSTRALIAN THERAPY OUTCOME MEASURES (AUSTOMS)—THIRD EDITION
Description
The Australian Therapy Outcome Measures (AusTOMs), created by Perry et al. (2004), is a performance-based scale designed for therapy departments that measures client outcomes separately as well as combined for occupational therapy, speech pathology, and physical therapy and is based on the United Kingdom Therapy Outcome Measure (TOM). Although the AusTOMs was created specifically for therapists in Australia, several studies have explored its use in other countries and languages as well (Unsworth et al., 2004). AusTOMs was designed according to the three International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) construct domains of impairment, activity and its limitations, and participation and its restriction, and a fourth domain taken from the original TOM which was thought to be particularly useful for occupational therapists—distress/well-being (Unsworth, 2008). The occupational therapy section consists of 12 scales that explore the association of 4 domains of activities of daily living (ADL) performance: (1) impairment, (2) activity, (3) limitation, participation/restriction, and (4) wellbeing (Chen & Yen-Eng, 2015). Administration requires that particular scales be selected based on client assessment and therapy goals; thus not all 12 scales need to be completed (Unsworth, 2015). Client performance is then rated across the 4 domains of each scale using an 11-point ordinal scale from 0 (complete problem) to 5 (no problem) in which half points can also be used (Unsworth, 2008). Assessment time can be as little as 10 minutes but may vary depending on the number of scales selected.
TABLE 3-1
THE 12 SCALES OF THE AUSTRALIAN THERAPY OUTCOME MEASURES
1. Learning and applying knowledge |
2. Functional walking and mobility |
3. Upper limb use |
4. Carrying out daily life tasks and routines |
5. Transfers |
6. Using transport |
7. Self-care |
8. Domestic life—home |
9. Domestic life and managing resources |
10. Interpersonal interactions and relationships |
11. Work, employment, and education |
12. Community life, recreation, leisure, and play |
Adapted from Unsworth, C., & Duncombe, D. (2014). AusTOMs for Occupational Therapy (3rd ed.). Melbourne, Victoria, Australia: La Trobe University.
TABLE 3-2
AUSTRALIAN THERAPY OUTCOME MEASURES ADMINISTRATION PROTOCOL
1. Assess the client using usual standardized or non-standardized methods. |
2. Establish occupational therapy goals with the client using usual methods. |
3. Select occupational therapy scales that reflect current goals. |
4. Make a rating for each of the 4 domains of selected scales. |
5. Implement occupational therapy program. |
6. Re-evaluate goals and/or reassess the client using assessment methods. |
Adapted from Unsworth, C., & Duncombe, D. (2014). AusTOMs for Occupational Therapy (3rd ed.). Melbourne, Victoria, Australia: La Trobe University.
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