Goal Attainment Scaling as a Method of Measuring Clinical Outcome for Children with Learning Disabilities

Abstract

In this article, one approach to measuring therapeutic impact — Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) — is discussed. The authors forward the case for GAS based on their own research regarding occupational therapy with children with learning disabilities. GAS is described and the factors relating to the setting of goals are examined. The main advantages are identified and GAS is seen to have benefits beyond those relating specifically to occupational therapy. The implications for multidisciplinary teamworking are examined and, in particular, it is asserted that co-workers may acquire, through the goal-setting process, realistic expectations of clients. The audit of therapeutic goals is seen to have the potential to inform decision making regarding treatment options. In conclusion, GAS is advocated as a particularly appropriate evaluative tool for the 1990s.

Goal Attainment Scaling: An Effective Outcome Measure for Rural and Remote Health Services

“…8,10,11,15 The use of GAS with clients requiring more than four occasions of service from any one discipline enabled SPOT to maximise these benefits and it is recommended that rural services also incorporate its use for more complex clients only. Communication with family members and other services has been shown to improve with the use of GAS 24 although SPOT has not used it for this purpose.…”

“…10,11 Collation and categorisation of goals has assisted programs to map current service provision and to plan future directions. 15,18 The Spinal Outreach Team has not used GAS for this purpose as such data was already collected in conjunction with occasions of service statistics. However, other services may find it useful to use GAS for this purpose.…”

“…8,15,23 The progress of all SPOT clients is discussed at regular intervals at a weekly team meeting. Once each month this forum focuses specifically upon reviewing goal scales and setting subsequent dates for review.…”

“…Importantly for rural health settings, GAS has been advocated as an evaluation tool for small services since it is highly responsive to change and therefore requires a smaller sample size to demonstrate outcomes of intervention. 9,15 The Spinal Outreach Team (SPOT) is a community based nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and social work service which supports people with spinal cord injury (SCI), their carers and service providers throughout Queensland. The Spinal Outreach Team provides consultancy and early intervention services.…”

Escala de objetivos atingidos (GAS)

“…É uma abordagem de avaliação individualizada, i.e., centrada no cliente ou grupo (Young & Chesson, 1997) e que permite avaliar longitudinalmente a mudança (Ottenbacher & Cusick, 1990). O processo proposto consiste na identificação prévia dos objetivos a atingir com a intervenção e na avaliação posterior do grau em que estes foram alcançados.…”