My experience with the PIP telephone assessment.

Tharos said:

Hi all, 

I thought I'd share a few words on my experience with a PIP telephone assessment. It definitely helped me to read others prior to my own so I thought I would do the same. 

It's worth pointing out though that of course the assessment was based on information provided about specific conditions I manage so things will vary somewhat  from person to person. 

My assessment lasted about an hour. The HCP that conducted the assessment seemed nice enough. She introduced herself, her role and very clearly explained how the assessment would go. She gave me the chance to ask questions and made sure I was clear on everything before she began. 

To her credit, she appeared attentive, she allowed me plenty of time to answer the questions and would clarify my answers (or repeat them back to me) before taking note of what I had said, which I appreciated  It felt like she was listening which was good. Obviously I don't yet know how much of that will have translated into her written report, but that was the impression she gave. 

Personally I found the use of notes VERY helpful. She began the assessment with what she described as a "social history" and involved questions on my living arrangements, adaptations, pets, work, social life etc. Although they were relatively basic questions, I was glad I had thought to anticipate these types of questions and make notes/consider my answers beforehand. It gave me the opportunity to be concise and clear in my responses and make sure I didn't miss anything important out. 

The main body of the assessment was working through the descriptors as expected. Again, having a copy of the answers I provided on the review form was extremely helpful. As many others have said, I highly recommend you do this. I would say the questions, though similar were far more in depth than is articulated on the form. She would ask me for step-by-step processes of how I used certain aides, "specifically" why I used them (I did my best to continue to link back to specific symptoms of my condition at those points) and also consequences on what would happen if I didn't or how I felt afterwards. She would also occassionally prompt for real life examples (though not always) so I tried to link in a few even when she didn't request them. 

Questions that I found particularly difficult were mostly related to specific timings. When did this example happen? How many times a week does X happen (even if it's only intermittent and therefore not regular). I'll admit I found those quite irritating because outside of these assessments it's not something I would  ever need to  keep track of. It's part of daily life that I cope with as and when is necessary, but I don't make an effortt to remember the day or time of that time I injured myself trying to perform a task several months or years ago. I would be surprised if many did??  I gave my best estimate, but they were educated guesses.

My overall feeling was that I did my best with the assessment, which is all I could hope for I suppose. It lasted about an hour. I came away tired and a somewhat stressed, but I felt I'd answered the questions to the best of my ability and remembered to stress the particularly important points. There were no questions that I really felt I couldn't answer or didn't answer well enough, so I'm trying to positive. I guess all that remains is to wait for the decision now.