CTRS Outcome Measurement & Program Evaluation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A CTRS wants to measure changes in a client's perceived quality of life over a 6-week program. Which type of measurement approach is most appropriate?
- Single-item global rating scale at discharge only
- Pre-test/post-test design using a validated quality-of-life instrument (Correct answer)
- Observational checklist completed by the treatment team
- Informal interview conducted at program midpoint
Correct answer: Pre-test/post-test design using a validated quality-of-life instrument
A pre-test/post-test design with a validated instrument allows the CTRS to quantify change and attribute it to the intervention.
Question 2: Which statistic best summarizes the central tendency of ordinal data collected on a 5-point Likert scale?
- Mean
- Standard deviation
- Median (Correct answer)
- Range
Correct answer: Median
The median is the appropriate measure of central tendency for ordinal data because Likert intervals are not assumed to be equal.
Question 3: The Functional Independence Measure (FIM) is used in TR settings primarily to assess:
- Leisure motivation and interest patterns
- Level of assistance required for daily functional tasks (Correct answer)
- Social skill competency in group settings
- Cognitive screening for dementia staging
Correct answer: Level of assistance required for daily functional tasks
The FIM measures the amount of assistance a client needs across 18 motor and cognitive tasks, informing functional outcome tracking.
Question 4: A CTRS notices her program consistently shows improvement on self-report measures but no change on observational measures. This discrepancy most likely indicates:
- The program is highly effective and results are converging
- A potential social desirability bias in self-report responses (Correct answer)
- The observational tool has higher construct validity
- Program outcomes should only be reported from observational data
Correct answer: A potential social desirability bias in self-report responses
When self-report scores improve but observational data do not, clients may be reporting what they think the therapist wants to hear rather than true change.
Question 5: Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) is particularly useful in TR because it:
- Provides norm-referenced comparison to a national sample
- Allows individualized, client-centered outcome measurement (Correct answer)
- Eliminates the need for baseline assessment
- Standardizes outcomes across all diagnostic groups
Correct answer: Allows individualized, client-centered outcome measurement
GAS creates individualized outcome scales tailored to each client's unique goals, making it highly client-centered.
Question 6: When evaluating a community reintegration program, a CTRS should prioritize which type of outcome evidence to satisfy accreditation standards?
- Anecdotal client testimonials collected informally
- Aggregated data from validated instruments demonstrating functional change (Correct answer)
- Staff satisfaction surveys about the program
- Activity attendance logs without pre/post measures
Correct answer: Aggregated data from validated instruments demonstrating functional change
Accreditation bodies require objective, aggregated outcome data from validated tools to demonstrate program effectiveness.
Question 7: A CTRS uses the SF-36 Health Survey to measure health-related quality of life. The SF-36 is considered a:
- Disease-specific instrument
- Generic health status instrument (Correct answer)
- Performance-based functional assessment
- Leisure satisfaction scale
Correct answer: Generic health status instrument
The SF-36 is a generic health status measure applicable across diagnoses, covering physical, mental, and social dimensions of health.
CTRS Outcome Measurement & Program Evaluation 2
A CTRS wants to measure changes in a client's perceived quality of life over a 6-week program.
Which type of measurement approach is most appropriate?