Do goal-setting interventions improve the quality of goals in mental health services?
OBJECTIVE
The use of evidence-based goal-setting principles is thought to improve goal attainment of people with psychiatric disability. Little is known about the frequency or quality of goal setting, and whether training and formalized goal-setting interventions improve goal setting practice. This study examines the impact of the Goal Instrument for Quality as related to the frequency and quality of goal setting.


METHODS
The Goal Instrument for Quality (Goal-IQ) was used to review 122 goal records in several eastern Australian mental health services.


RESULTS
Seventy-four percent of people in recovery had a documented goal record and these had 54% of the evidence-based goal-setting principles measured by the Goal-IQ.


CONCLUSIONS
Staff trained in goal setting showed significant improvements in the frequency and quality of documenting goals.
Clarke
Samantha P
SP
University of Wollongong, Wollongong NSW, Australia.
Crowe
Trevor P
TP
Oades
Lindsay G
LG
Deane
Frank P
FP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D019090:Case Management; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D015438:Health Behavior; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult