Centre for Policy on Ageing



Clinical experience with goal attainment scaling in geriatric care
Author(s)	Paul Stolee, Christine Zaza, Alison Pedlar
Journal title	Journal of Aging and Health, vol 11, no 1, February 1999
Pages	pp 96-124
Keywords	Health [elderly] ; Medical care ; Hospital services ; United States of America.
Annotation	Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) is an individualised outcome measure particularly suited for clients with multiple complex problems, such as those served by geriatric programmes. This study conducted a qualitative evaluation of the utility if GAS in geriatric care. Semi-structured interviews were completed with 24 clinicians in four hospital or community-based geriatric services where GAS had been used. An inductive analysis was used to identify themes. GAS was described as resulting in shorter lengths of stay, more focused care, and improved team functioning. GAS was perceived as having greater use for functional (versus medical) goals, when clinicians had more direct control over treatments, when patients were involved in goal-setting, and when goals were set by an interdisciplinary team. The study illustrates the clinical impacts an outcome measure can have, as well as the use of qualitative methods for this type of research. (AKM).
Accession Number	CPA-990222406 A
Classmark	CC: LK: LD: 7T
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...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing.