Neurophysioplus Ltd | Occupational therapy goal setting and problem solving.

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Occupational Therapy

Goal setting and problem solving are useful techniques to adopt when assisting a person with a brain injury to relearn skills and reintegrate back into the community. Service users with BI have disrupted problem solving abilities. These can be replaced with impulsive actions which can inhibit a successful return to the community.

Goal setting and problem solving

Goal setting

Goal setting is a two way process between the service user and the therapist. It enables tasks to be broken down into achievable sections whilst still recognizing the "bigger picture". This assists the service user to remain focused.
It is essential that the goals are relevant to the service user, whilst remaining achievable and realistic. This balance often requires skilled negotiation.
A SMART goal setting system is effective:

S - specific
M - measurable
A - achievable
R - realistic
T - time limited

Goals need to be regularly monitored and reviewed to ensure that they remain realistic and are still relevant to the service user.

Problem solving

A problem solving approach can be utilized in assisting a service user to achieve their goals. Real life problem solving deficits are difficult to measure with standard neuropsychological testing as such testing is highly structured and formal. A social approach is more useful as it can be used in context.
Problem solving can be used for many different tasks e.g. planning a meal, paying a household bill or planning a trip to meet a friend.
Initially a paper exercise can be completed to define the problem and brainstorm the solutions. Goal setting is also integral to this approach to ensure that the task is achievable and realistic.

Information may have to be gathered before the task can take place
e.g. finding out the local bus routes and times.

The task can then take place. This is learning by doing which is often more relevant to the service user, particularly if the task is enjoyable.

Following completion of the task it is important to review it with the service user. It may be that improvements could be made to make the task easier or more enjoyable the next time.

Monitoring and reviewing are essential in all tasks. This ensures the service user is remaining on track and that goals are being achieved, and if not why not?

Members of the chartered
society of physiotherapists