Research and analysis

Specialism in the Health Assessment: Initial Exploratory Research

This research presents evidence on the potential impact of different forms of specialism interventions on claimant experience of assessment processes.

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Specialism in the Health Assessment: Initial Exploratory Research

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Details

In 2022, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) commissioned  an independent research agency to carry out research with health and disability benefit claimants to understand how the use of specialism in health assessments may improve the assessment process.

The research comprised of 30 participants taking part in one-hour, online in-depth interviews which included participants listening to, discussing, and comparing two, partial, mock assessments. This research was commissioned to provide DWP with evidence of the potential impact different forms of specialist intervention may have on claimants’ experience of assessment processes.

It is important to note, that although the term ‘specialist’ is referenced throughout this report, at the time of publication, the term ‘specialist’ is no longer used to refer to assessors in the context of Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

Updates to this page

Published 7 October 2024

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