Are SMART goals fit-for-purpose? Goal planning with mental health service-users in Australian community pharmacies

• DOI: 10.1093/intqhc/mzae009
• Publication Date: 2024-02-21T17:28:14Z
• Authors: Victoria Stewart; Sara S McMillan; Jie Hu; Jack C Collins; Sarira El-Den; Claire L O’Reilly; Amanda J Wheeler
• Keywords: Goal setting; Goal Orientation

Abstract Goal planning is an important element in brief health interventions provided primary healthcare settings, with specific, measurable, achievable, realistic/relevant, and timed (SMART) goals recommended as best practice. This study examined the use of SMART by Australian community pharmacists providing a goal-oriented wellbeing intervention service-users experiencing severe persistent mental illnesses (SPMIs), particular, which aspects goal were incorporated into documented goals. data from PharMIbridge Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) used to investigate how operationalized goals, quality, format most utilized. Goals evaluated using Evaluation Method (SMART-GEM) tool determine closely each met criteria. also categorized five domains describing their content or purpose. Descriptive analysis was describe SMART-GEM evaluation results, Kruskal-Wallis H test compare results across domains. All (n = 512) co-designed 156) classified poor quality when assessed against guidelines for statements, although contained information regarding specific behaviour and/or action (71.3% 86.3%, respectively). Less than 25% identified achievement would be measured, those related lifestyle behaviours likely include measurement information. Additionally, majority (93.5%) lacked details monitoring progress. Study findings raise questions applicability particularly SPMIs. Further research identify elements are relevant interventions. further investigation needed impact training support tools on quality.