Functional Cognition Lesson

Course Description

Mild cognitive changes are frequently missed in rehabilitation, oncology, and neurological care because they often do not appear on standard screens or in quiet clinical environments. Yet these subtle changes can significantly impact medication management, work performance, safety, communication, participation, and overall quality of life. This session will explore the critical role occupational therapy practitioners play in identifying and addressing functional cognition early through a real-world, participation-focused lens. Attendees will learn how functional cognition directly influences healthcare outcomes, patient engagement, return to work, and long-term independence—making it an essential component of value-based care. Through practical clinical examples and actionable strategies, participants will gain tools to better recognize subtle cognitive barriers, advocate for OT’s role within interdisciplinary teams, and connect cognitive rehabilitation to meaningful daily function and healthcare value.

Objectives

Speaker

Karen Johnson, OTR/L, CBIS, CSRS

Karen Johnson is an occupational therapist with more than 20 years of experience specializing in functional cognition, neurological rehabilitation, and cancer-related cognitive impairment. She currently practices within Duke Health, helping individuals address cognitive changes that impact daily function, work, participation, and quality of life.

Karen is a Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS) and Certified Stroke Rehabilitation Specialist (CSRS). She is passionate about increasing awareness of functional cognition and advancing occupational therapy’s role in identifying and addressing subtle cognitive changes that are often overlooked.

As founder of Innovative OT NC, LLC, Karen provides education, coaching, and resources for healthcare professionals, individuals living with cognitive changes, and care partners. She is a frequent speaker on functional cognition, cognitive rehabilitation, and occupational therapy’s impact on meaningful participation and healthcare outcomes.