Structuring Goals via Goal Attainment Scaling in Occupational Therapy Groups in a Partial Hospitalization Setting

The patient's capacity to identify and pursue realistic goals is often an inherent element in the admission, evaluation and treatment planning process in occupational therapy groups in mental health programs. The appropriateness, potential for realization and capacity to anticipate the steps entailed from initial goal setting through goal achievement is a critical skill that merits individualized treatment attention. This article reviews a structured system which involves the patient in stating goals in behavioral terms, in a graded sequence and is appropriate for functionally oriented task groups in partial hospitalization settings. This approach is based on Goal Attainment Scaling and lends itself to objective review of treatment outcomes.