A Third Party Assessment of Work Capabilities

Abstract

The "Third Party Assessment of Work Capabilities" is a timely method for evaluating an individual's pre-hospitalization work behavior. It was developed by Griffiths in 1973 to monitor progress of hospitalized psychiatric patients on work therapy assignments. This survey form has been adapted to evaluate acute/short-term hospitalized soldiers and to assist in their rapid return to duty status. The "Third Party Assessment of Work Capabilities" worksheet, completed by the soldier's work supervisor, identifies five factors that summarize work behavior: task competence, response to authority and supervision, social relationship with others, work enthusiasm and motivation, and confidence and initiative. Once scored and results interpreted, an Occupational Therapy treatment can be implemented and early discharge planning with the soldier's unit initiated. A case study is presented for illustration.