The AusTOMs tools

AusTOMs for Physiotherapy
AusTOMs for Speech Pathology
AusTOMs for Occupational Therapy

There are three individual AusTOMs kits: one for each of physiotherapy, speech pathology, and occupational therapy professions. The AusTOMs tools in each kit are based on a similar framework, but were developed separately by members of each profession.

The AusTOMs scales are based on:

• The Therapy Outcome Measures (UK TOM- Enderby and John, 1997; Enderby, John and Petherham, 1998);
• The World Health Organization International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (WHO ICF);
• The input and feedback of Australian clinicians; and
• The input and feedback of consumers and advocates.

Each scale focuses on a specific area of clinical practice for the relevant profession. For example there is a Language scale in the speech pathology set, and a Musculoskeletal scale in the physiotherapy set.

Every AusTOMs scale incorporates a rating of four separate domains: Impairment, Activity limitation, Participation restriction, and Wellbeing. A rating between 0 and 5 is made for each domain. Whole points (eg 1, 4) are defined, with example descriptors, and there is the opportunity to use half points (eg 3.5).

On the AusTOMs and the TOM scales, 0 represents complete difficulty, while 5 represents no difficulty.

The domains are independent; that is, scores for each domain are not aggregated, nor do they necessarily affect each other. A client may show great improvement in one domain (for example, their ability to participate in society) without necessarily showing improvement in others (for example, their impairment may not have changed).

More detailed information about the scales for each profession, and an example AusTOMs scale (PDF file) can be found by following the links below:

AusTOMs for Physiotherapy
AusTOMs for Speech Pathology
AusTOMs for Occupational Therapy

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Funding for the AusTOMs study was provided by the
Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing