PGAP

[EricM]

A few colleagues of mine who run a small pain program have asked me about the Progressive Goal Attainment Program (http://www.pdp-pgap.com/en/pgap/index.html) and whether I thought it would be worthwhile attending their training seminar. Not ever having heard of this group I though I'd post here to see if anyone else has.
As expected, there is not a great deal of information available freely on the web site. The apparant founder, Michael JL Sullivan, a professor of psychology, certainly has a large resume (http://www.pdp-pgap.com/en/centre/pdf/SullivanCV.Feb.06.doc.website.pdf).

Does anyone out there have an opinion on this program?

Eric

[Nick]

Hi Eric,

Michael Sullivan actually practices here in Halifax and is a very knowledgeable guy. He is a psychologist and that is definitely reflected in the PGAP materials, but most of it is fairly good information. I have not actually taken the course, but one of my employees took it about two years ago. I have reviewed all the materials at length.

It is interesting to see the disconnect between what people say and what they demonstrate. For instnace, the material includes a lot of information about fear and avoidance of movement, but then the workbook is supplemented with ridiculous pictures warning people never to depart from a neutral spine position (makes you wonder why the spine flexes, extends, and rotates if it is never supposed to move). There is even one picture that shows someone putting on their pants with their back against the wall lest they depart from that neutral spinal posture. Wrong message IMO and I thought a glaring discrepancy compared to the text.

Basically can be summarized by understanding the concepts of pacing and graded exposure. Mostly activity-based rehab which I think has significant limitations compared to movement-based therapy and even strength training.

I hope this helps.

Nick

[EricM]

Nick,
I think my colleagues were intrigued the programs promise of learning tools to treat the psychosocial risk factors in pain and disability. If all they teach is pacing and graded exposure I really doubt it would be worth the $530 course fee.
Thanks for your comments!

Eric

[Jon Newman]

Hi Eric,

The two day course is $529. I'm guessing that much of what is covered in the course has been covered here also through the enthusiasm of those that contribute. In fact, I'm quite sure I've read some of Sullivan's work. If I'm not mistaken this thread (http://www.somasimple.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1949&highlight=empathy) introduces some of his work though he is not cited (see Jane's post for the reference). Sometimes it's worth the money to have someone organize all those thoughts for you though.


ps. Sorry Eric, I missed your post while writing mine. I agree with you.

[nari]

Nick

Who supplied the silly pictures?
Do you know if it was the psychologist, or did he glean them from physios? To me that is a basic error - to say one thing and then totally contradict it visually. Enough to put one off a course, I'm afraid, although, as jon says, it is good to attend and then do autopsies on the discordant bits.

Nari