Do goal-setting interventions improve the quality of goals in mental health services?

Abstract

Objective: The use of evidence-based goal-setting principles is thought to improve goal attainment of people with psychiatric disability. Little is known about the frequency or quality of goal setting, and whether training and formalized goal-setting interventions improve goal setting practice. This study examines the impact of the Goal Instrument for Quality as related to the frequency and quality of goal setting. Methods: The Goal Instrument for Quality (Goal-IQ) was used to review 122 goal records in several eastern Australian mental health services. Results: Seventy-four percent of people in recovery had a documented goal record and these had 54% of the evidence-based goal-setting principles measured by the Goal-IQ. Conclusions: Staff trained in goal setting showed significant improvements in the frequency and quality of documenting goals. Copyright 2009 Trustees of Boston University.