Assessment

How it is used

Every new patient starts with an initial assessment, usually split into a subjective part (the patient's story) and an objective part (the physical examination). Physiotherapists carry out, complete and document an assessment and later do a reassessment to check progress. The word is also the A in SOAP notes: your interpretation of the findings.

Example sentences

1. Your first appointment will be a full assessment, so please bring a pair of shorts.

2. I completed the initial assessment and found reduced shoulder movement and weakness.

Common collocations

• initial assessment
• carry out an assessment
• falls assessment
• reassessment
• assessment findings

Related terms

• subjective assessmentThe first part of a physiotherapy assessment, in which the patient describes their problem, symptoms, history and goals in their own words.
• objective assessmentThe part of a physiotherapy assessment in which the physiotherapist observes, measures and tests the patient's body, for example movement, strength and special tests.
• outcome measureA standard test or questionnaire used to measure a patient's condition at the start of treatment and again later, to show whether things are changing.
• SOAP notesA common way of organising clinical notes in four parts: Subjective, Objective, Assessment (or Analysis) and Plan.
• treatment planThe agreed set of treatments, goals and timescales for a patient, based on the findings of the assessment.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

• assessment · Nursing
• assessment · Psychology
• assessment · Social Work
• assessment · Education & Teaching

More terms: Assessment and Examination

• posture
• swelling
• pain scale
• palpation
• tenderness
• goniometer
• manual muscle testing
• special test
• red flags
• referred pain
• end feel