Do goal-setting interventions improve the quality of goals in mental health services?

The use of evidence-based goal-setting principles is thought to improve goal attainment of people with psychiatric disability. Little is known about the frequency or quality of goal setting, and whether training and formalised goal-setting interventions improve goal setting practice. The Goal Instrument for Quality (Goal- IQ) was used to review 122 goal records across in eastern Australian mental health services. Seventy four percent of people in recovery had a documented goal record, demonstrating 54% of the evidence-based goal setting principles measured by the Goal-IQ. Staff trained in goal setting showed significant improvements in the frequency and quality of documenting goals.