Goal Attainment Scaling in Outpatient Physical Therapy for Chronic Low Back Pain: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study
Douglas Haladay1, Rebecca Edgeworth Ditwiler1, Aimee B Klein1
1School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States.
JMIR Research Protocols
|March 7, 2022
Summary
Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) offers a patient-centered approach for physical therapists managing chronic low back pain (LBP). This study protocol aims to develop and test GAS feasibility in US outpatient settings for improved patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Physical Therapy
- Health Outcomes Research
- Patient-Centered Care
Background:
- Patient engagement in healthcare decisions improves outcomes and adherence.
- Goal setting is an accessible method for physical therapists to increase patient involvement.
- Traditional goal setting in physical therapy may not capture individual patient limitations, unlike patient-centered approaches like Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS).
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a protocol for applying Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) in the United States for physical therapists treating chronic low back pain (LBP).
- To test the feasibility of implementing GAS for chronic LBP patients in an outpatient physical therapy setting.
Main Methods:
- Mixed methods design with qualitative (focus groups) and quantitative (pilot testing) phases.
- Qualitative phase: Identify patient-important and measurable goals for chronic LBP.
- Quantitative phase: Pilot test goal inventory for feasibility, reliability, validity, and responsiveness, comparing GAS to traditional measures.
Main Results:
- Phase 1 data collection completed June 2020; Phase 2 data collection March 2021-December 2021.
- Anticipated results: Successful implementation of GAS by outpatient physical therapists.
- Anticipated results: Demonstration of clinically important changes in patients with chronic LBP using GAS.
Conclusions:
- Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) presents an opportunity for patient-centered care in managing chronic LBP.
- GAS has not been previously studied in real-world US physical therapy settings for chronic LBP.
- Successful implementation requires efficient clinician training, <15-minute application time, and demonstrated detection of clinically meaningful changes.
