title: Evaluating the feasibility of Goal Attainment Scaling as a rehabilitation outcome measure for veterans.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The increasing number of veterans with complex health conditions accessing rehabilitation leads to the need for an outcome measure that identifies success in areas beyond return to work. The current study was designed to assess the feasibility of goal attainment scaling as a routine measure of outcomes of rehabilitation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen organisations contracted by the Australian Department of Veterans' Affairs to work with veterans were invited to trial goal attainment scaling. Training was provided to rehabilitation professionals, and existing documentation was modified by the Australian Department of Veterans Affairs to introduce the goal attainment scaling approach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analysis of the use of goal attainment scaling supported the feasibility and potential usefulness of the tool in a veteran population. Rehabilitation providers set goals across a range of domains including medical, psychological, social, as well as return to work. The quality of the goals and the outcome measures was generally good.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The goal attainment scaling approach was seen to support a client-focussed approach to rehabilitation. Data obtained through the use of goal attainment scaling can be summarised at different levels to be useful for clients, providers, rehabilitation coordinators, and senior executives to monitor and report on the overall success of the different types of rehabilitation provided to veteran clients.
authors.affiliation: Australian Institute for Primary Care & Ageing, La Trobe University, Melbourne, 3086, Australia. V.lewis@latrobe.edu.au
authors.forename: Virginia J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dell
authors.forename: Lynda R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Matthews
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006040:Goals; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014728:Veterans