Functional Goals

Functional goals in healthcare/rehabilitation services/occupational therapy refer to specific objectives set to improve a patient's ability to perform daily tasks, activities, or movements independently and effectively.

Example #1

Example: A functional goal for a patient recovering from a stroke could be to improve their ability to dress themselves without assistance.

Example #2

Example: For a patient undergoing physical therapy after a knee surgery, a functional goal might be to regain the ability to walk up and down stairs safely.

Misuse

Misuse of setting unrealistic or unattainable functional goals can lead to frustration, demotivation, and potentially harm the patient's confidence and overall progress. It is essential to set goals that are challenging yet achievable to maintain the patient's engagement and well-being.

Benefits

Setting appropriate functional goals ensures that patients have clear targets to work towards, promoting motivation, progress tracking, and eventual independence in performing daily tasks. Achieving these goals can boost confidence and quality of life.

Conclusion

By setting realistic and meaningful functional goals in healthcare and rehabilitation services, patients are empowered to actively participate in their recovery process, leading to improved outcomes and overall well-being.

Related Terms

PatientOccupational TherapyPhysical Therapy