Patient participation in physical therapy goal setting.
OBJECTIVE
An important part of treatment planning in physical therapy is effective goal setting. The Guide to Physical Therapist Practice recommends that therapists should identify the patient's goals and objectives during the initial examination in order to maximize outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine whether therapists seek to involve patients in goal setting and, if so, what methods they use. Therapists' attitudes toward participation and patient satisfaction with the examination were also examined.


METHODS
Twenty-two physical therapists audiotaped the initial examination of 73 elderly patients (mean of 76.4 years of age, SD = 7.1, range = 65-94). The audiotaped examinations were then scored using the Participation Method Assessment Instrument (PMAI) to determine the frequency of attempts made by therapists to involve patients in goal setting. Therapists and patients completed surveys following the examinations.


RESULTS
Therapists' use of participation methods during examinations ranged from a minimum of 1 to a maximum of 19 out of 21 possible items on the PMAI. The therapists stated that they believed that it is important to include patients in goal-setting activities and that outcomes will be improved if patients participate. Patients also indicated that participation is important to them.


CONCLUSIONS
In most cases, the therapists did not fully take advantage of the potential for patient participation in goal setting. Patient and therapist education is needed regarding methods for patient participation during initial goal-setting activities.
Baker
S M
SM
Distance Learning Physical Therapist Assistant Program, Loma Linda University, Huntsville, AL, USA. smbakerpt@aol.com
Marshak
H H
HH
Rice
G T
GT
Zimmerman
G J
GJ
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010358:Patient Participation; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000379:methods*; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D013637:Tape Recording; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis