Multidisciplinary goal attainment measure (MGAM): A review of stroke client goal-based outcomes within a community rehabilitation setting in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Abstract

Aims: Community rehabilitation is a key component of health services within stroke care. Ongoing challenges exist as to how to best capture outcomes for these services, especially considering the multi-faceted service delivery and flexible focus on individual need. A goal setting tool, such as the multidisciplinary goal attainment measurement (MGAM), may be useful to objectively measure client outcomes that are meaningful and relevant to individuals within this complex environment. This study aims to review MGAM client outcomes within a stroke population in a community rehabilitation context. Methods: Pre and post goal outcome data was collected by multidisciplinary team members with stroke survivors, across the domains of impairment, activity/participation, and knowledge/information. These pre and post scores were compared with each other, as well as a measure of everyday functioning. Results: Clinically significant average change scores and statistically significant changes pre and post intervention were found across all domains on the MGAM. There were no correlations noted between MGAM and length of stay, quality of life and everyday functioning outcomes. Conclusion: As evidenced in the stroke population of this study, MGAM offers a unique outcome measure different to other clinical measures as it captures client outcomes that are relevant and meaningful to individual need across a range of domains within a multi-disciplinary setting. These formalized goal setting practices and outcomes, such as the MGAM, may assist in providing standardized outcome processes across various community rehabilitation settings.