Goal-setting in physical therapy practice.
Goal-setting is traditionally used by physical therapists; however, factors identified in the literature as increasing goal achievement are often not considered. The purpose of this paper is to describe the potential use of goal-setting in improving and measuring effectiveness in physical therapy practice. Factors identified in the literature for effective goal-setting include setting specific and measurable goals, degree of goal difficulty, goal acceptance, and feedback. Active participation by the client in the goal-setting process is of primary importance. In order to maximize the use of goal-setting in physical therapy practice, reliable, valid, and sensitive clinical measures need to be identified and developed. There appears to be a potential for further use of goal-setting in physical therapy practice both as a means of improving treatment effectiveness and as a method for measuring effectiveness of treatment programs.
Cott
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C
Division of Physical Therapy, University of Toronto.
Finch
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E
D002170:Canada; D006040:Goals; D006761:Hospitals; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010358:Patient Participation; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000592:standards*