Primary objective: To explore the way clinicians talk about the value and purpose of goal planning in rehabilitation for people with brain injury.
Research design: Grounded theory.
Methods and procedures: Nine clinicians from a range of professional backgrounds were interviewed. The interview data were analysed using the constant comparative method of grounded theory.
Main outcomes and results: While the clinicians considered goal planning important, the expressed reasons for valuing goal planning were at times unclear. The term 'goal' referred to not one but many concepts within the rehabilitation environment; goal planning was used to serve a range of different purposes. Different reasons for undertaking goal planning were interrelated but at times conflicted, potentially creating tensions within the rehabilitation environment.
Conclusions: Discussions around goal planning terminology should progress from service-level agreements towards more evidenced-based international consensus. Individual services might benefit from discussing and agreeing on the purpose for goal planning in their work.