PGAP™

An illustration from philosopher and scientist, Rene Descartes.  The fire displaces the skin, which pulls a tiny thread, which opens a pore in the ventricle (F) allowing the "animal spirit" to flow through a hollow tube, which inflates the muscle of the leg, causing the foot to withdraw.

I do want to return to the topic of inflammation and what I previously referred to as the Other Oil Industry but I just returned from an extraordinary workshop that is worth talking about. 

I just returned from Santa Clara, California, in Silicon Valley, having attended a training program called PGAP™ (Progressive Goal Attainment Program).  PGAP™ is a treatment program for reducing disability due to chronic pain, depression, cancer and other chronic health conditions.  There are very few providers of this service in the United States who currently offer this program.  As for California, until yesterday, there were only a few providers in northern California.  At the conclusion of the training, I join a growing number to offer it in southern California.  I will be working in conjunction with an organization called LifeTEAM, starting in July to offer PGAP™.   

During this weekend’s workshop, I had the opportunity to sit next to two representatives from a major insurance carrier.  They were taking the same training, not in anticipation of becoming PGAP™ provider, but to become familiar with the program.  When I asked them if they felt their insurance company had a need for such services, the answer was an emphatic, “Yes!”

When people become disabled due to an injury or debilitating illness, sometimes they abandon their involvement in important activities of their lives. Many of these activities previously made up various life roles that defined the person’s sense of identity and self-worth.  Some of these activities are stopped because of pain and functional limitations. However, some of the activities are abandoned due to factors such as fears, loss of confidence and pessimism due to the changes disability has brought to their lives.

 The primary goals of PGAP™ are to: 1. Reduce barriers that prevent patients from making progress with rehabilitation; (2) Promote re-integration into life-role activities, (3) Increase quality of life and (4) Facilitate return-to-work.

These goals are achieved through targeted treatment of psychosocial risk factors, structured activity scheduling, graded-activity involvement, goal-setting, problem-solving and motivational enhancement. 

In addition to providing basic PGAP™, I will be working with the physical therapists of Beach Physical Therapy, who will provide coordinated therapeutic exercises.  Together, this program is called PGAP™ Plus Physio.  PGAP™ Plus Physio is tailored to meet the rehabilitation needs of patients who are struggling to overcome the challenges associated with a wide range of debilitating health conditions. 

I look forward to implementing PGAP™ to help chronically suffering patients return to a higher quality of life.