Which statement best describes screening in the OT process?

Which statement best describes screening in the OT process?

• A. Short; helps determine next steps and what assessments to use
• B. Lengthy; provides full diagnostic information
• C. Requires direct billing and insurance approval
• D. Is only performed by the OTR

Answer: (A)

Screening is a quick, initial check to see whether a client may have problems with everyday activities and to decide what level of evaluation is needed and which assessments to use. Because it’s brief and non-diagnostic, it doesn’t yield detailed or full diagnostic information; its job is to flag possible concerns and guide the next steps in assessment. It also isn’t about billing—billing decisions come later with the formal evaluation. In practice, screening can be performed by a qualified OT clinician or a supervised assistant, depending on the setting. So the best description is that screening is short and helps determine what to assess next and which tools to use.

Screening is a quick, initial check to see whether a client may have problems with everyday activities and to decide what level of evaluation is needed and which assessments to use. Because it’s brief and non-diagnostic, it doesn’t yield detailed or full diagnostic information; its job is to flag possible concerns and guide the next steps in assessment. It also isn’t about billing—billing decisions come later with the formal evaluation. In practice, screening can be performed by a qualified OT clinician or a supervised assistant, depending on the setting. So the best description is that screening is short and helps determine what to assess next and which tools to use.