title: Patient readiness and ability to set recovery goals during the first 6 months after stroke.
abstract: Goal setting is recommended both in the acute and rehabilitation phases after stroke, yet this presents multiple challenges for patients and clinicians. The aim of this study was to describe the participants' readiness and ability to set goals over time.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen stroke survivors aged 18-70 yrs were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide at three time points: on the acute stroke unit, while participating in a subacute rehabilitation program, and 6 mos after the stroke. Content analysis was performed using NVivo.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants had difficulty setting goals early after stroke. Contributing to this was limited understanding of goal terminology, wanting to "get back to normal," differences in readiness to set goals, and poor knowledge about typical stroke recovery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Future models need to acknowledge the importance of timing and education in goal setting. People who have just had a stroke need time to understand many of the terms and concepts that treating clinicians use, and new models need to acknowledge the importance of health literacy if both patients and carers are to participate in the rehabilitation process. People that have had a stroke have an important role to play in the development of these new models.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation and Aged Care, Flinders University, Daws Road, Daw Park, SA 5041, Australia. Kate.Laver@health.sa.gov.au
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Laver
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Halbert
authors.forename: Meredith
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Crotty
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D013997:Time Factors