Examining the construct validity of the Cognitive Competency Test for occupational therapy practice

Background. Enhancing occupational therapy practice requires critical examination of assessment tools and the conclusions being drawn from their use. When working with cognitively impaired older individuals, judgments about occupational competence are often informed by an assessment of cognitive competence. Purpose. The Cognitive Competency Test (CCT) is a frequently used measure in Canada to inform predictions of occupational competence. However, there is an absence of published evidence that addresses its validity. Methods. To appraise validity of the CCT, a retrospective chart review (n = 107) of CCT reports for inpatient and outpatient clients with cognitive impairment was conducted. Data were subjected to exploratory factor analyses to examine the factor structure, and the measure was compared with commonly used clinical variables reflecting cognitive and occupational competence. Findings. Results suggest that the CCT measures a unitary construct and provide some support for its predictive capacity. Implications. CCT scores can add incremental validity to cognitive screens, such as the Mini Mental State Exam, when evaluating occupational competence.