ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF PEOPLE WITH DISORDERS OF CONSCIOUSNESS

The number of people surviving with long term Disorders of Consciousness (DoC) continues to rise. Once the acute and rehabilitation phases of the recovery processes are complete, the majority of people are transferred to... [ view full abstract ]

The number of people surviving with long term Disorders of Consciousness (DoC) continues to rise. Once the acute and rehabilitation phases of the recovery processes are complete, the majority of people are transferred to continuing care environments which may include community hospitals, geriatric hospitals and nursing homes. In Europe there are no clear recommendations for ongoing reassessment and treatment but the British Society of Rehabilitation Medicine Guidelines for Prolonged Disorders of Consciousness (2013) guidelines recommend that people with chronic DoC are reassessed regularly in long-term care settings. Recent evidence has demonstrated that late recovery and emergence from a DoC is possible. However, to identify this, regular reassessment is essential. While there is a perception that such reassessment is highly specialist, both assessment and intervention for people with chronic DoC can be provided using fundamental occupational therapy approaches using tools which are accessible and available.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this workshop
• Participants will be familiar with the assessment and reassessment guidelines issued by the British Society of Rehabilitation Medicine
• Participants will have learned the basics of assessment using two tools – the Wessex Head Injury Matrix and the JFK Coma Scale
• Participants will understand the basic principles of assessment of people with Disorders of Consciousness

Maximum number of participants: 30

Brief description of intended participants:
This workshop is suitable for occupational therapists working in acute services and those providing services to community hospitals, nursing homes and in the community where people with DoC may be resident.