The development of pGALSplus: evaluating feasibility and acceptability of an assessment to facilitate the identification and triage of children with musculoskeletal presentations

Abstract

Abstract Objectives Healthcare professionals (HCPs) need to identify potentially serious musculoskeletal (MSK) presentations in children and refer them to specialists appropriately. Our aim was to develop ‘pGALSplus’ (paediatric gait, arms, legs and spine plus) to support clinical assessment, aid decision-making and assess feasibility and acceptability in exemplar MSK pathologies. Methods We used a three-phase mixed methods approach: phase 1, preliminary stakeholder engagement and scoping review to propose pGALSplus; phase 2, iterative development of pGALSplus involving an expert working group; and phase 3, testing the feasibility of pGALSplus in exemplar MSK conditions [JIA, mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS), muscular dystrophy (MD), developmental coordination disorder (DCD) and healthy controls (HCs)]. The final pGALSplus was derived from analysis of phase 3 data and feedback from HCPs, families and expert consensus input from an international e-survey (n = 22) and virtual event (n = 13). Results Feasibility was tested in 45 children (JIA, n = 10; MPS, n = 6; MD, n = 9; DCD, n = 10; HCs, n = 10). Overall the assessment was achievable in the target age range (2–10 years) and quick to complete [median 12 min (range 8–20)], with high acceptability from families. Expert feedback deemed pGALSplus to be very useful and of particular use to non-specialists in MSK paediatrics. The final pGALSplus comprises 26 clinical observations/skills with a colour-coding approach to aid decision-making and identification of more serious MSK presentations and additional resources to support its use in clinical practice. Conclusions pGALSplus is a novel evidence- and consensus-based assessment building on pGALS, with high acceptability and feasibility. As community-based MSK assessment in children becomes more established, we propose that pGALSplus will facilitate and inform decision-making to promote access to specialist care.