The problem of goal attainment scaling
Goal attainment scaling (GAS) is a popular method for individualized outcome measurement, but it comes with problems that limit its application. This video provides an overview of why GAS appears attractive as an outcome measure, but also presents some seldom discussed criticisms of its application.
Congratulations Dr Emily Thomas PhD!!
Visual representation of change in self-identity after brain injury
A huge congratulations from RTRU to Dr Emily Thomas who was, just this month, awarded her PhD! Emily’s thesis is entitled “Development of a measure of sense of self following traumatic brain injury” and can be downloaded from the OUR Archive website (click here for a direct link).
In addition to a number of conference presentations, Emily’s thesis has already resulted in one great publication (Thomas et al. 2014) and a book chapter (Thomas et al., 2015). Another outcome from Emily’s thesis has been the finalisation of a new clinical measure: the Brain Injury Sense of Self Scale, which is a interval-level scale that can detect problems with self-identity after brain injury. We are just in the process of setting up a new website to make this measure freely available.
Emily currently works as a rehabilitation consultants for the Solent NHS Trust in Southampton, UK.
References:
1. Thomas EJ, Levack WMM, Taylor WJ. Self-reflective meaning making in troubled times: Change in self-identity after traumatic brain injury. Qualitative Health Research 2014;24(8):1033-47.
2. Thomas EJ, Levack WMM, Taylor WJ. Rehabilitation and recovery of self-identity. In: McPherson KM, Gibson BE, Leplege A, eds. Rethinking Rehabilitation: Theory & Practice. Boca Raton: CRC Press 2015.
