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Abstract

This article presents the results from a survey about the use of assessment instruments conducted among Norwegian occupational therapists in December 2013. The purpose of the present study, sub-study number 4, was to explore how occupational therapists reason about their use of assessments and evaluation instruments. Of the 1286 respondents in the survey, 349 reasoned about their use of or non-use of assessments. This article is based on these reported reasons. The motives are analyzed using thematic analysis. The analyses brought forward four themes that were consistent in the material: (i) Systematic use of assessments supports the choice of therapeutic goals and -interventions, (ii) use of assessments may facilitate client-centered practice, (iii) use of assessments may develop occupational therapists’ qualifications in communicating occupational therapy, (iv) factors that hinder the use of assessments. Based on the results we conclude that the professional practice within occupational therapy is on its way towards a knowledge-based practice. There are still inhibiting factors in applying assessments in occupational therapy practice, and evidence-based practice may be facilitated by strengthening occupational therapists’ knowledge and skills in performing formal assessment.