Measuring Similarities Between the Patient Specific Functional Scale and Physical Therapist-created Long-term Goals in Outpatient Physical Therapy

Authors

Robin Zappin, Alvernia UniversityFollow
Soo Yeon Sun, Alvernia UniversityFollow

Abstract

Background: The Patient-specific Functional Scale (PSFS) can be used to promote person-centered goal setting. This study aimed to determine how often PSFS Items and Target Activities from physical therapist-created long-term goals (PTC-LTG) agreed. The relationship between patient demographics, meeting/partially meeting PTC-LTG and meeting or exceeding the minimal clinical important difference (MCID) for PSFS activities was also investigated. Method: PTC-LTGs, patient demographic questionnaires, and pre/post-physical therapy intervention PSFS were collected. Each item in PSFS and Target Activity in PTC-LTGs was linked to a World Health Organization International Classification of Function (WHO ICF) category. A regression analysis determined if there was a relationship between the patient’s demographics and the achievement of the PSFS and PTC-LTG. Results: Seventy-eight items identified on the PSFS and 85 PTC-LTGs from 21 subjects were linked to ten of the 30 WHO ICF chapters. The PSFS items were often linked to Activities/Participation, whereas PTC-LTG Target Activities were linked to Body Functions. Of the Target Activities, 10.2% matched items in seven patients. Demographic characteristics were not associated with achieving MCID for PSFS or meeting PTC-LTG. Conclusion: Our study has shown that patients identified Activity Limitations on the PSFS more often than physical therapists (PT) who selected Body Function impairments as the Target Activity for long-term goals. The lack of agreement may be related to PT’s engagement of patients and their PSFS items during goal setting. Future research will address how the PSFS items and scores are used to support patient-centered goals.

Author Bio(s)

Robin Zappin, PT, EdD is an Assistant Professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Alvernia University in Reading, PA. She is a licensed physical therapist in Pennsylvania and has been practicing for over 30 years. Dr. Zappin's research focuses on patient-centered care and health literacy for physical therapists.

Soo Yeon Sun, PT, PhD is an Assistant Professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Alvernia University in Reading, PA. She is a licensed physical therapist in Pennsylvania and has an extensive research background

Acknowledgements

Acknowledgment The authors would like to thank the contribution of the following individuals to this study: Karen Keenan for serving as a study site liaison, Drs. Julie Axelrod, Brianna Miller, Erin Landis, Cesar Avila, and Heather Raker for their assistance in data collection.

Recommended Citation

Zappin R, Sun S. Measuring Similarities Between the Patient Specific Functional Scale and Physical Therapist-created Long-term Goals in Outpatient Physical Therapy. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 2024 Mar 22;22(2), Article 16.