goal attainment scaling
An individualised outcome measurement method in which rehabilitation goals are pre-set on a five-point scale, allowing progress to be quantified relative to patient-specific expectations.
Full Definition
Goal attainment scaling (GAS) is a rehabilitation outcome measurement technique in which individualised goals are operationally defined across a five-point scale ranging from −2 (much worse than expected) through 0 (achieved as expected) to +2 (much better than expected). Each level is described in advance and anchored to observable, measurable behaviours. GAS allows aggregation of diverse patient goals into a single T-score, facilitating group-level analysis in research and audit. In editorial contexts, the term is always lower-case unless it opens a sentence, and the abbreviation GAS is acceptable after first use. Editors should verify that goal level descriptors are logically graduated and mutually exclusive when reviewing GAS goal tables in clinical or research documents.
Usage
Usage note: Lower-case in running text. Abbreviate as GAS only after definition. When editing GAS tables, confirm the five levels are operationally defined and that level 0 ('expected outcome') is realistic and documented at baseline.
In Context
- "Goal attainment scaling was used to capture progress on individualised rehabilitation goals across the cohort." — Rehabilitation research methodology section
- "At three months post-discharge, GAS T-scores indicated that 78% of patients had met or exceeded their expected goals." — Programme evaluation report