Shaping the Goal Setting Process in OT: The Role of Meaningful Occupation

Abstract

This qualitative study utilized data gathered from semistructured interviews with four clients, their families, and occupational therapists (OTs) from a local skilled nursing unit (SNU) about the personal meaning of roles, activities, and how these meanings can shape the goal setting process in OT practice. The purpose of the study was to examine client goals which were based on meaningful life experiences and the congruence of these with goals set by treating OTs as well as goals expressed by the client's family or caregiver. Results indicated that goal setting during OT intervention may be enhanced by exploring clients' meaningful life experiences including past and current roles, responsibilities, and activities which are particularly meaningful to individual client's and their families or caregivers.

Goal setting with caregivers of adults in the community: a mixed methods systematic review

“…It is an integral part of healthcare used by many health professionals, including those working in the fields of medicine [3,4], occupational therapy [5,6], nursing [7] and physiotherapy [8]. Health professionals often use the goal setting process to identify intervention goals.…”

“…The levels are graded from no family-therapist collaboration (level one) to family-directed service (level seven). The seven levels labelled according to the family role [16] are: (1) no family involvement, (2) family as informant, (3) family as therapist's assistant, (4) family as co-client, (5) family as consultant, (6) family as team collaborator and (7) family as director of service.…”