Goal setting for occupational therapists and patients with spinal cord injuries

Recently, the health care industry has changed its focus to providing patient centered care.Therapists are even being asked to document goals and the patienttherapist collaboration on goals and treatment plans.This documentation has shown that the patient-therapist collaboration on treatment goals can shorten the patient length of stay and improve goal attainment.(Neistadt, 1995) Occupational therapists set goals based on their clinical experience, the level of spinal cord injury, and clinical practice guidelines.Understanding that patients need access to and participate in meaningful activities is unique to occupational therapy.Defining problems and concerns of the patient and their families as it applies to occupational performance is also unique to occupational therapy intervention.With knowledge of problem areas and patient identified meaningful activities, goals for occupational therapy intervention can be better suited for each individual patient.(Trombly & Radomski, 2002) Melville, Baltic, Bettcher, and Nelson (2002) referenced the Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics, the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, Health Care Financing Administration, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, and selected authors in occupational therapy regarding the importance of active patient participation as an important part of occupational therapy.This information supports the current study by focusing on the patient's participation in goal-setting and how it falls under the domain of occupational therapy practice.