Intergrating injury screening with measurement and monitoring: a conceptual approach using a patient global assessment of the body and limbs scale

• Main Authors: P. Gabel, L. Bardin, B. Burkett, A. Neller
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: AOSIS 2006-01-01
• Series: South African Journal of Physiotherapy
• Subjects: evidence based practice; outcome measures; musculoskeletal; assessment
• Online Access: https://sajp.co.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/159

Purpose: To  develop a conceptual model for patients with musculoskeletal injuries that relates Injury Screening to Measurement and Monitoring (ISMAM). Screening scores would predict quantifiable outcomes on a proposed Global Assessment of Body And Limbs (GABAL) composite scale.  The scale would define status as a percentage of pre-injury capacity using quantitative and qualitative self report outcome measures combined with work and life status data. Background: Screening questionnaires use psychosocial yellow flags and activity limitation to identify potential chronic patients. Outcome measures provide clinical evidence by establishing patient status and assessing intervening change.  Independently developed,definitive statistical links between these established concepts are yet to be determined. Description: The ISMAM components are integrated using a graph of time versus score on the GABAL-scale with initial screening predicting recovery time to a designated pre-injury percentage level.  Actual status would be assessed through initial then subsequent sequential measurements with GABAL-scale scores enabling trendline analysis to  verify if the rate of actual recovery coincides with that predicted by screening. Observations: Face and content validity are apparent because validated screening tools are available and the required components for the GABAL-scale would be existing validated outcome measures and quantifiable data. Conclusions: This model should provide a practical method of integrating screening and global measurement that facilitates communication across agencies and professions.  A clinical research trial to validate the ISMAM concept has been initiated.