Patient-focused goal planning process and outcome after spinal cord injury rehabilitation: quantitative and qualitative audit.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the process and outcome of a multidisciplinary inpatient goal planning rehabilitation programme on physical, social and psychological functioning for patients with spinal cord injury.


METHODS
Clinical audit: quantitative and qualitative analyses.


METHODS
Specialist spinal injury unit, Perth, Australia.


METHODS
Consecutive series of 100 newly injured spinal cord injury inpatients. MAIN MEASURE(S): The Needs Assessment Checklist (NAC), patient-focused goal planning questionnaire and goal planning progress form.


RESULTS
The clinical audit of 100 spinal cord injured patients revealed that 547 goal planning meetings were held with 8531 goals stipulated in total. Seventy-five per cent of the goals set at the first goal planning meeting were achieved by the second meeting and the rate of goal achievements at subsequent goal planning meetings dropped to 56%. Based on quantitative analysis of physical, social and psychological functioning, the 100 spinal cord injury patients improved significantly from baseline to discharge. Furthermore, qualitative analysis revealed benefits consistently reported by spinal cord injury patients of the goal planning rehabilitation programme in improvements to their physical, social and psychological adjustment to injury.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this clinical audit underpin the need for patient-focused goal planning rehabilitation programmes which are tailored to the individual's needs and involve a comprehensive multidisciplinary team.
Australian Neuromuscular Research Institute, CNND, University of Western Australia, Australia. michelle.byrnes@anri.uwa.edu.au
Michelle
M
Byrnes
Janet
J
Beilby
Patricia
P
Ray
Renee
R
McLennan
John
J
Ker
Stephan
S
Schug
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D054869:Clinical Audit; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D033262:Narration; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012917:Social Adjustment; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014904:Western Australia