Decision and attribution bias in neurorehabilitation.

OBJECTIVE

Examine neurorehabilitation therapists' clinical predictions and attributions for outcomes.

DESIGN

Single sample, repeated measures.

PARTICIPANTS

A sample of 51 neurorehabilitation therapists selected from representative disciplines including occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, and recreation therapy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-report questionnaire on factors related to positive and negative outcomes in neurorehabilitation. Rank order listing of factors influencing outcome in neurorehabilitation.

RESULTS

Without cuing, therapists did not identify injury severity as factor in outcome (p < .0001). Therapists also made internal attributions for positive outcomes and external attributions for negative outcomes (p < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Neurorehabilitation therapists tend to ignore injury severity as factor in outcome unless encouraged to do so. Therapists accept personal responsibility for positive outcomes, but not for negative outcomes. Neurorehabilitation teams may benefit from education on factors affecting prognosis and attribution bias found in clinical practice.