title: Goal setting practice in services delivering community-based stroke rehabilitation: a United Kingdom (UK) wide survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We investigated the nature of services providing community-based stroke rehabilitation across the UK, and goal setting practice used within them, to inform evaluation of a goal setting and action planning (G-AP) framework.
  
  
  METHODS
  We designed, piloted and electronically distributed a survey to health professionals working in community-based stroke rehabilitation settings across the UK. We optimised recruitment using a multi-faceted strategy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Responses were analysed from 437 services. Services size, composition and input was highly variable; however, most were multi-disciplinary (82%; n = 335/407) and provided input to a mixed diagnostic group of patients (71%; n = 312/437). Ninety one percent of services (n = 358/395) reported setting goals with "all" or "most" stroke survivors. Seventeen percent (n = 65/380) reported that no methods were used to guide goal setting practice; 47% (n = 148/315) reported use of informal methods only. Goal setting practice varied, e.g. 98% of services (n = 362/369) reported routinely asking patients about goal priorities; 39% (n = 141/360) reported routinely providing patients with a copy of their goals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Goal setting is embedded within community-based stroke rehabilitation; however, practice varies and is potentially sub-optimal. Further evaluation of the G-AP framework is warranted to inform optimal practice. Evaluation design will take account of the diverse service models that exist. Implications for Rehabilitation Community-based stroke rehabilitation services across the UK are diverse and tend to see a mixed diagnostic group of patients. Goal setting is implemented routinely within community-based stroke rehabilitation services; however, practice is variable and potentially sub-optimal. Further evaluation of the G-AP framework is warranted to assess its effectiveness in practice.
authors.affiliation: Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Profession (NMAHP) Research Unit, University of Stirling , Stirling, Scotland , UK .
authors.forename: Lesley
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Scobbie
authors.forename: Edward A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Duncan
authors.forename: Marian C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Brady
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wyke
mesh_terms: D006040:Goals; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D010358:Patient Participation; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: Goals; rehabilitation; stroke; survey