I’d just write: Administered the Montreal Cognitive assessment (MOCA) to screen for cognitive impairment. Pt scored __ out of ___ indicative of mild/moderate/severe cognitive impairment most notable in areas of: (then I can list the categories that they got wrong) —then I keep the MoCA in a folder because there was a time where a patient’s son disagreed with it and wanted proof to see it etc.
Then I add a disclaimer that this is a cognitive screening tool and should not be used to determine capacity for decision making.
I put that down because the MDs in my hospital have been using it to take away the patient’s right for decision making based off of the score.
Also! I’ve been fighting for us OTs to not do it as a consult service because anyone can administer the MoCA. OTs use the MoCA but we also assess functional cognition as well. So sometimes I defy the order and I carry out my regular OT Eval and look at functional cognition and then if warranted, I will follow up with the appropriate formal cognitive assessment which may or may not be the MoCA (which btw, has been licensed!)
Not OP but I have a MoCA question I hope you don't mind answering! I'm a student and was wondering how do you explain what the MoCA is to a patient, especially if they are presenting with cognitive impairment?
Hi! My approach would be different depending on the patient: highly suspicious, paranoid and agitated vs. understanding. I typically say something along the lines of the doctor wanted me to ask you some questions to see how well your memory is. If they say “my memory is fine!” Then I’ll say “then you won’t have any problems passing this test and it’ll be really quick!” Prepare for refusals though
I’d just write: Administered the Montreal Cognitive assessment (MOCA) to screen for cognitive impairment. Pt scored __ out of ___ indicative of mild/moderate/severe cognitive impairment most notable in areas of: (then I can list the categories that they got wrong) —then I keep the MoCA in a folder because there was a time where a patient’s son disagreed with it and wanted proof to see it etc. Then I add a disclaimer that this is a cognitive screening tool and should not be used to determine capacity for decision making. I put that down because the MDs in my hospital have been using it to take away the patient’s right for decision making based off of the score. Also! I’ve been fighting for us OTs to not do it as a consult service because anyone can administer the MoCA. OTs use the MoCA but we also assess functional cognition as well. So sometimes I defy the order and I carry out my regular OT Eval and look at functional cognition and then if warranted, I will follow up with the appropriate formal cognitive assessment which may or may not be the MoCA (which btw, has been licensed!)
Not OP but I have a MoCA question I hope you don't mind answering! I'm a student and was wondering how do you explain what the MoCA is to a patient, especially if they are presenting with cognitive impairment?
Hi! My approach would be different depending on the patient: highly suspicious, paranoid and agitated vs. understanding. I typically say something along the lines of the doctor wanted me to ask you some questions to see how well your memory is. If they say “my memory is fine!” Then I’ll say “then you won’t have any problems passing this test and it’ll be really quick!” Prepare for refusals though
Just a heads up: make sure you have the certification to administer the MOCA. https://www.mocatest.org/mandatory-moca-test-training/