Goal-Attainment Scaling as a Method for Evaluating Mental Health Programs
DAVID W. CLINE M.D.1,
DAVID L. ROUZER PH.D.1, , and
DAVID BRANSFORD 2
1 Assistant Professor, Adolescent, Young Adult, Family Psychotherapy Firm, Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minn.
2 Medical student, Adolescent, Young Adult, Family Psychotherapy Firm, Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minn.
Goal-attainment scaling, a method for evaluating individual or group treatment programs, involves setting up individualized treatment goals and scoring the attainment of goals from the most successful outcome (+2) to the least successful(–2). Having the therapist and patient construct the scale helps to differentiate problems, structure therapy, and clarify outcomes. Over-optimism about the benefits of therapy may cause problems with score validity; measures for external validation are suggested.
