Real-World Goal Setting and Use of Outcome Measures According to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health: A European Survey of Physical Therapy Practice in Multiple Sclerosis

Kamila Řasová, Patrícia Martinková, Bernadita Soler, Jenny Freeman, Davide Cattaneo, Johanna Jonsdottir, Tori Smedal, Anders Romberg, Thomas Henze, Carme Santoyo-Medina and Peter Feys
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Kamila Řasová: Department of Rehabilitation, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague 108 00, Czech Republic
Patrícia Martinková: Department of Statistical Modelling, Institute of Computer Science of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 182 07, Czech Republic
Bernadita Soler: Neurology, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 3580000, Chile
Jenny Freeman: Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Devon PL6 8BH, UK
Davide Cattaneo: IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Larice Lab, 20148 Milan, Italy
Johanna Jonsdottir: IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Larice Lab, 20148 Milan, Italy
Tori Smedal: Norwegian Multiple Sclerosis Competence Centre, Department of Neurology and Department of Physiotherapy, Haukeland University Hospital, 5021 Bergen, Norway
Anders Romberg: Physiotherapy, Masku Neurological Rehabilitation Centre, 21250 Masku, Finland
Thomas Henze: Specialist Practice in Neurology, 93059 Regensburg, Germany
Carme Santoyo-Medina: Neurology-Neuroimmunology Department, Neurorehabilitation Unit, Multiple Sclerosis Centre of Catalonia (Cemcat), Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
Peter Feys: REVAL, Rehabilitation Research Center, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt 3500, Belgium

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 13, 1-14

Abstract: Goal setting is a core component of physical therapy in multiple sclerosis (MS). It is unknown whether and to what extent goals are set at different levels of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), and whether, and to which, standardized outcome measures are used in real life for evaluation at the different ICF levels. Our aim was to describe the real-world use of goal setting and outcome measures in Europe. An online cross-sectional survey, completed by 212 physical therapists (PTs) specialized in MS from 26 European countries, was conducted. Differences between European regions and relationships between goals and assessments were analyzed. PTs regularly set goals, but did not always apply the Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timed (SMART) criteria. Regions did not differ in the range of activities assessed, but in goals set (e.g., Western and Northern regions set significantly more goals regarding leisure and work) and outcome measures used (e.g., the Berg Balance Scale was more frequently used in Northern regions). Quality of life was not routinely assessed, despite being viewed as an important therapy goal. Discrepancies existed both in goal setting and assessment across European regions. ICF assists in understanding these discrepancies and in guiding improved health-care for the future.

Keywords: goals; measures; international classification of functioning, disability and health; physical therapy; multiple sclerosis; questionnaire survey; cluster analysis; Europe (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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