Patient readiness and ability to set recovery goals during the first 6 months after stroke

Goal setting is recommended both in the acute and rehabilitation phases after stroke, yet this presents multiple challenges for patients and clinicians. The aim of this study was to describe the participants' readiness and ability to set goals over time.

Fifteen stroke survivors aged 18-70 yrs were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide at three time points: on the acute stroke unit, while participating in a subacute rehabilitation program, and 6 mos after the stroke. Content analysis was performed using NVivo.

Participants had difficulty setting goals early after stroke. Contributing to this was limited understanding of goal terminology, wanting to "get back to normal," differences in readiness to set goals, and poor knowledge about typical stroke recovery.

Future models need to acknowledge the importance of timing and education in goal setting. People who have just had a stroke need time to understand many of the terms and concepts that treating clinicians use, and new models need to acknowledge the importance of health literacy if both patients and carers are to participate in the rehabilitation process. People that have had a stroke have an important role to play in the development of these new models.