How clinicians talk about the application of goal planning to rehabilitation for people with brain injury-variable interpretations of value and purpose.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the way clinicians talk about the value and purpose of goal planning in rehabilitation for people with brain injury.


METHODS
Grounded theory.


METHODS
Nine clinicians from a range of professional backgrounds were interviewed. The interview data were analysed using the constant comparative method of grounded theory.


RESULTS
While the clinicians considered goal planning important, the expressed reasons for valuing goal planning were at times unclear. The term 'goal' referred to not one but many concepts within the rehabilitation environment; goal planning was used to serve a range of different purposes. Different reasons for undertaking goal planning were interrelated but at times conflicted, potentially creating tensions within the rehabilitation environment.


CONCLUSIONS
Discussions around goal planning terminology should progress from service-level agreements towards more evidenced-based international consensus. Individual services might benefit from discussing and agreeing on the purpose for goal planning in their work.
Levack
William M M
WM
Rehabilitation Teaching and Research Unit, Wellington School of Medicine and Health Science, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand. william.levack@otago.ac.nz
Dean
Sarah G
SG
McPherson
Kath M
KM
Siegert
Richard J
RJ
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000379:methods; D006040:Goals; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D009520:New Zealand; D010347:Patient Care Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation