Progressive Goal Attainment

Progressive Goal Attainment Program (PGAP)

This 10-week program developed by a psychologist, and delivered only by trained health professionals, targets behaviour change in relation to the psychosocial barriers that sustain disability and prevent a return to work.

The client establishes realistic goals and a weekly activity schedule that brings “meaning and value” back into their lives with a focus on return-to-work planning in the later stages. This program is ideal for clients that spend a lot of downtime at home and are having difficulty motivating themselves to get moving. It is more effective earlier than later before behaviours associated with chronicity are fully entrenched. Case managers are provided with an assessment, midterm and discharge report.

PGAP Goals:

• Move away from symptom management toward maximizing participation (symptom management is not necessary or a sufficient condition for increased participation)
• Re-integrate into life roles
• Address psychosocial barriers to the rehabilitation process
• Return to work is the highest level of independence you can offer a working-age individual that allows them to be in control of their life
• Overcome psychological obstacles to activity involvement by participation in graded activity

When to Consider PGAP:

• When a client is experiencing a high level of disability (pain, fatigue, depression) associated with a chronic health or mental health condition
• After symptoms are stabilized
• There are not likely to be additional investigations or treatments that will significantly alter the client’s health condition
• The individual considers rehabilitation goals as a priority for them

Components of PGAP:

• Education and reassurance
• Maintaining an activity log
• Activity scheduling
• Walking program
• Increasing activity involvement – graded participation minimizes the risk of a flare-up