This project was conducted in collaboration with Dr. Agnes McConlogue, Clinical Associate Professor at Stony Brook University. The purpose of this study addressed the following:
If school-based physical therapists were given training on utilizing a unique, collaborative goal setting methodology, and support throughout the school year to create and monitor progress of set goals, would there be improvements in the abilities of therapists to: 1) Create goals that meet the standards of best practice, and 2) Influence intervention choices for improved outcomes and collaborate with school staff and families in order to improve options for the carryover and subsequently improved goal-mastery?
The investigators provided training to participating therapists on the utilization of a goal setting methodology that focuses on creating goals that are collaborative, meaningful, relevant and measurable. The program spanned the school year and included one-day training on goal setting methodology, three phone calls to provide mentorship regarding goal setting/progression, pre/post survey on therapists’ perceptions regarding goal setting and practical use of goal setting methodology. The participants provided examples of goals prior to the one-day training and again at the end of the school year, analyzed utilizing a grading rubric created by the investigators.