Shared decision making within goal setting in rehabilitation settings: A systematic review

- Currently SDM within goal-setting is limited.
- Patients vary in how much involvement they wish to have in goal-setting.
- Involvement in decisions about their goals increased patient motivation.
- Staff recognised the benefits of this approach however reported various barriers.
- Patients and staff need to be further educated about this new healthcare approach.

ObjectiveTo map out and synthesise literature that considers the extent of shared decision-making (SDM) within goal-setting in rehabilitation settings and explore participants' views of this approach within goal-setting.MethodsFour databases were systematically searched between January 2005-September 2015. All articles addressing SDM within goal-setting involving adult rehabilitation patients were included. The literature was critically appraised followed by a thematic synthesis.ResultsThe search output identified 3129 studies and 15 articles met the inclusion criteria. Themes that emerged related to methods of SDM within goal-setting, participants' views on SDM, perceived benefits of SDM, barriers and facilitators to using SDM and suggestions to improve involvement of patients resulting in a better process of goal-setting.ConclusionsThe literature showed various levels of patient involvement existing within goal-setting however few teams adopted an entirely patient-centred approach. However, since the review has identified clear value to consider SDM within goal-setting for rehabilitation, further research is required and practice should consider educating both clinicians and patients about this approach.Practice implicationsTo enhance the use of SDM within goal-setting in rehabilitation it is likely clinicians and patients will require further education on this approach. For clinicians this could commence during their training at undergraduate level.