Functional Cognition: Higher-Level Mental Functions in Acute Care

Course overview

Occupational therapy (OT) practitioners can contribute to a thorough assessment of cognition in acute care by determining cognitive deficits, how they could impact functional performance, and strategies to mitigate the ramifications. Deficits in functional cognition can impede a safe and complete return to the community, including returning to work and driving or living independently. This course continues the discussion, progressing from lower-level to higher-level mental functions. These include problem-solving, awareness, safety judgment, and executive function. Each area will be discussed in a scaffolded manner, providing an acute care-focused description of functional implications, evaluation, intervention, and documentation strategies using a performance-based lens. Standardized and nonstandardized assessment strategies will be discussed.