Individuelle Rehabilitationsziele und Rehabilitationsmotivation in der onkologischen Rehabilitation

PURPOSE: Goal setting and goal attainment of individual rehabilitations goals gain increasing attention in medical rehabilitation. Aim of this study was to expand the knowledge about rehabilitation goals of cancer patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The Analysis involved a sample of n=1 193 cancer patients with different tumor sites, who participated in a prospective study design with three time-points. Patients were asked to fill out a set of questionnaires at the beginning, the end and one year after rehabilitation. This study examines the individual goals and their attainment; further the expectations and the motivation towards the rehabilitation program. RESULTS: Individual rehabilitation goals differ according to the subgroups sex, age, tumor site, psychological distress, type of rehabilitation program and work related variables. Patients evaluate the goal attainment at the end of the program positive. Discrepancies between patients and doctors exist according to the expectations towards the program and the evaluation of the success of the program. CONCLUSIONS: Results support the demand on a collective goal setting including patients and medical personnel. Further studies should focus on the identifications of specific goal setting types to provide a more individualized rehabilitation program.