Individual Rehabilitation Goals and Goal Attainment in Patients during Orthopedic Rehabilitation

Purpose: We investigated possible links between the achievement of rehabilitation goals and orthopedic patients' subjective evaluation of the rehabilitation process. Material and Methods: 602 patients (mean age: 49 years, 76 % women) from 2 rehabilitation centers were included. The most common main diagnosis was back aches (44 %). A written survey was performed at the beginning and the end of the rehabilitation program. 38 listed rehabilitation goals were recorded. Further self-report as well as external assessment questionnaires were used to detect somatic and psychosocial characteristics. Results: The most frequently reported rehabilitation goals (> 90 %) were: reducing physical symptoms, improving stamina and resilience, and learning physical exercise techniques. These goals were frequently achieved. Doctors tended to have significantly higher expectations towards rehabilitation success than patients. Relevant factors for the subjective assessment of one's rehabilitation success were gender (male) and age (older rehab patients), as well as a lower number of rehabilitation goals and a higher number of achieved goals. Subjective success was rated higher in cases of first time rehabilitation. Discussion and Conclusions: Our results emphasize how important it is that the individual rehabilitation program and its personal goals are planned carefully, collectively (involving both the doctor and the patient) and before the program begins. Establishing realistic goals may produce higher success rates and greater personal satisfaction with the rehabilitation process.