A Goal Based Outcomes approach in Older Adult Psychology Services, V1

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Using a Goal Based Outcomes approach in an Older Adult Psychology Service: Goal types generated, their attainment and if they can be categorised reliably

• IRAS ID

  325409

• Contact name

  Hamish McLeod

• Contact email

  hamish.mcleod@glasgow.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  University of Glasgow

• Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier

  2023AA019, NHS Ayrshire & Arran R&D Reference

• Duration of Study in the UK

  0 years, 11 months, 30 days

• Research summary

  Background: It is important that psychology services measure whether input is helpful. Often questionnaires are used, but they tend to focus on a person’s symptoms. The Goal Based Outcome (GBO) approach (Law, 2011) asks clients to state their goals for input and rate how well they are meeting these pre and post-intervention. This approach is now being used across a number of mental health services in the UK. However, there is limited research on its use in Older Adult Psychology Services (OAPS).

  Aims: This study aims to explore the use of a GBOs approach in an OAPS. The main research questions are:
  1. What types of goals do older adults set when using a GBOs approach? This could inform service planning.
  2. Do goal types play a role in whether goals are met or not? This could inform the treatment planning process.
  3. Can staff working within OAPS categorise goals in the same way? This question has not been explored in any service area to date. If clinicians can reliably categorise goals, this will provide evidence in support of the clinical utility of the GBOs approach.

  Method: GBOs data is currently being collected within an OAPS in a health board in NHS Scotland as part of routine clinical practice. A request for access to a pseudonymised database of this data will be requested. Goals will be categorised and counted. Statistically analysis will be used to test if goal type is a predictor of goal attainment, and therefore whether certain types of goals are more/less likely to be achieved. Using a sample of GBOs data and an online survey package, clinicians working in OAPS across eight health boards in NHS Scotland will be invited to categorise these goals.

  Funding: There is no funding required for this study.

• REC name

  East of Scotland Research Ethics Service REC 1

• REC reference

  23/ES/0019

• Date of REC Opinion

  21 Jun 2023

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion