Rehabilitation Goals of Patients with Coronary Artery Disease and Chronic Back Pain - An Analysis of Free Text Responses

Abstract

Goal-setting is considered as an important step in medical rehabilitation. Regarding patient participation in the process, the possible inability of patients to develop personal goals is often discussed as a potential obstacle. This article examines whether patients have goals for medical rehabilitation and if so, which. 189 patients with a diagnosis of coronary heart disease and 254 patients suffering from chronic back pain were surveyed in the run-up to their inpatient rehabilitation. Using a questionnaire, patients were asked to note their 3 most important rehabilitation goals. The free text data were then analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. Most patients were able to express their personal rehabilitation goals before the beginning of their rehabilitation process.. Goals referring to coping with the disease were important to patients with both diagnoses. The rehabilitation goals expressed by the patients are suited for a participative goal-setting.