Using Goal Attainment Scaling as an Outcome Measure in Occupational Therapy Practice and Research
Abstract
The process of setting measurable, attainable and meaningful goals is essential to evaluate therapeutic interventions in both occupational therapy research and clinical practice (Kleinrahm, 2013). Goal Attainment Scaling... [ view full abstract ]
The process of setting measurable, attainable and meaningful goals is essential to evaluate therapeutic interventions in both occupational therapy research and clinical practice (Kleinrahm, 2013).
Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) was developed almost 50 years ago by Kirusek and Sherman (1968) to evaluate outcomes in mental health settings. GAS has since been applied to research and clinical practice in diverse areas including paediatrics (Steenbeek, 2008), cognitive rehabilitation (Malec, 1999), amputee programmes (Rushton & Miller, 2002) and youth mental health (Cairns, 2015).
GAS involves identifying individualised goals with clients and developing a sensitive, criterion-referenced measure of change so that a personalised outcome measure is developed for each individual (King et al, 2000). Establishing client goals and indicators for progress can be a time consuming process initially for therapists (Krasny-Pacini et al, 2013), with many therapists reporting initial discomfort during the process (Malec et al, 1999). Malec et al (1999) recommend that practitioners are coached by experienced GAS users to develop confidence using the process.
This interactive workshop will incorporate education, group work and coaching techniques with the overall purpose for attendees to be confident applying GAS to their area of research or practice. Further objectives are to:
• Introduce to GAS and its applications
• Explore the psychometric properties of GAS
• Provide GAS case examples from practice and research
• Practice setting goals using GAS
• Problem solve common errors
• Examine GAS rating methods
Suitable for therapists and researchers from a diverse range of settings due to its wide applicability
Authors
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Claire Kearns
(HSE Cavan Monaghan Mental Health Service, Cavan General Hospital, Cavan, Ireland and Discipline of Occupational Therapy, National University of Ireland, Galway.)
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Agnes Shiel
(Discipline of Occupational Therapy, National University of Ireland, Galway, University Road, Galway,)
Topic Areas
Research methods , Practice and intervention methods , Evidence based practice
Session
Workshop » 7L (09:40 - Saturday, 18th June, AC204)
Paper
Using_GAS_as_outcome_measure.docx
