Exploring the clinical utility of the Adult Social Care Outcomes Toolkit for use in occupational therapy practice in adult social care: a qualitative study

Background/Aims Promoting the wellbeing of service users is a core focus in occupational therapy and adult social care. Despite a professional, policy and legal mandate to provide evidence of the effectiveness of occupational therapy interventions in adult social care, few local authority teams in England use standardised outcome measures to assess the impact of interventions on wellbeing. One local authority's occupational therapy service in England sought to address this by introducing the Adult Social Care Outcomes Toolkit. This study explored the Adult Social Care Outcomes Toolkit's clinical utility (usefulness) in this setting. As the Adult Social Care Outcomes Toolkit has multiple translations, this research is relevant to international practice. Methods This qualitative study collated the views and experiences of occupational therapy staff using the Adult Social Care Outcomes Toolkit in practice. Data from an online focus group were thematically analysed. Results Four themes were identified relating to: understanding the Adult Social Care Outcomes Toolkit; using it in daily practice; applying it to the local authority occupational therapy context; and the felt experience of using the Toolkit. Broadly, participants were keen to measure wellbeing, liked the Adult Social Care Outcomes Toolkit in principle and noted its relevance to occupational therapy practice in adult social care. Some concerns were raised about the Adult Social Care Outcomes Toolkit's complexity and completion times. Conclusions This first known study of using the Adult Social Care Outcomes Toolkit in occupational therapy practice in adult social care provides key insights into its clinical utility. Findings may be of interest to practitioners, commissioners and service providers. Implications for practice The Adult Social Care Outcomes Toolkit has potential for use as an outcome measure in social care occupational therapy, though there are some barriers to use in practice. Alternative versions of the instrument offer solutions, though some limitations may remain. This novel study highlights the importance of clinician feedback and thorough consideration of an outcome measure's clinical utility.