Goal setting in stroke rehabilitation: part 1

Stroke is a sudden neurological event. The effects of stroke vary and stroke survivors' inevitably encounter psychosocial challenges during the adjustment process. Rehabilitation requires a structured programme that considers the patient's personal goals and empowers them during this process. It has been suggested that goal setting approaches to rehabilitation achieve increased patient satisfaction and shorter inpatient stays. However, the concept of goal setting can be interpreted in many ways, and there are a varied number of methods for undertaking goal setting. The purpose of this paper is to present the evidence related to goal setting in stroke rehabilitation. Part-one of this two-part paper identifies frequently used goal setting tools and discusses the importance of patients' devised goals during stroke rehabilitation. Part two will uncover anomalies that health professionals are challenged by during the process of goal setting and will examine opportunities the nurse can create to enhance the goal setting process.