Related Experiment Videos
Goal-setting in clinical medicine.
E H Bradley1, S T Bogardus, M E Tinetti
1Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-8034, USA. elizabeth.bradley@yale.edu
Social Science & Medicine (1982)
|July 22, 1999
Summary
Setting medical care goals for chronic diseases, especially dementia, is complex. Understanding patient values, individual factors, and clinician interactions is key for effective care planning and communication.
Area of Science:
- Medical Sociology
- Health Psychology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Goal-setting in chronic disease care is under-researched.
- Effective goal-setting is crucial for achieving desired patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a theory of goal-setting in the care of patients with dementia.
- To identify factors influencing the goal-setting process in chronic illness.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative research methods were employed.
- A theory of goal-setting was developed based on empirical data.
Main Results:
- Goals originate from values but are distinct and context-dependent.
- Goal-setting is hierarchical, influenced by individual, disease, and interactional factors.
- Patient-family-clinician interactions significantly modify goal-setting.
Conclusions:
- The goal-setting process in clinical medicine is intricate.
- Explicit communication regarding care goals is essential for effective planning and communication.