Learning Goals And SMART Goals For Alberta Physiotherapists

Learning Goals SMART GoalsA continuing competence program support toolfor physiotherapistsMay 2012Writing learning goals is an integral part of the reflectivepractice review component of Physiotherapy Alberta’scontinuing competence program. This member support tooloutlines the importance of setting learning goals and providespractical tips and activities to help physiotherapists developand enhance their goal writing skills.

Table of ContentsLearning goals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3yWhy set goalsySetting learning goalsSMART goals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4yDeveloping SMART learning goalsySMART goals exercisesSample SMART goal worksheets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 0yExample 1 - surgical proceduresyExample 2 - informed consentAction verbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2yManagement skillsyCommunication skillsyOrganizational skillsyResearch skillsyTechnical skillsyTeaching skillsyFinancial skillsyCreative skillsyHelping skills

Learning GoalsWhy set learning goals? 1Goal setting is a powerful technique used by top-levelIn all likelihood, your professional role encompassesathletes, business executives and leaders. Goals givemany elements (e.g., clinical expertise, communication,you purpose and direction. Goal statements expresscollaboration, advocacy, practice management,the desired results of activities. Goal planning helpsscholarly activity, and professionalism). The goals youidentify and organize the steps required to achieveset should address one or more of these practiceyour intended results. For physiotherapists goalelements. In addition, the goals you set should not onlysetting helps:impact your personal skill set but also patients servedand/or your practice environment.y clarify priority areas for learning,y keep learning on track, andy competence moving forward.Setting learning goalsA goal is an end toward which you direct specificWhen writing goals it is useful to ask:y What do I need to know?y What do I do well?y What could I do better?effort. A goal must have a measurable outcome soy What is most important?you know that you’ve reached it.y What are the needs of my practice?y Where am I relative to the needs?To set meaningful goals, it is necessary to have anunderstanding of your abilities relative to thedemands of your professional role. PhysiotherapyAlberta’s reflective practice review self-assessmenty What resources can I use to help meachieve my goal?y How much time do I have to achieve my goal?and patient care reflection tools are intended to helpphysiotherapists identifying a learning goal. Feedbackfrom patients and peers, performance appraisals andother practice review activities provides equallyimportant information to be considered whensetting goals.1.Adapted from the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario, Professional Portfolio Guide - 2007.3

SMART GoalsDeveloping SMART learning goalsSMART is an acronym commonly used to assist with the goal setting process. The SMART formatprovides clarity about goals, what they mean and how and when you will achieve them.SMART goals have the following format:SpecificA specific goal is detailed and focused, contains enough detail to clearlydefine what you want to achieve. Everyone should know exactly what isto be achieved.MeasurableA measurable goal is quantifiable and includes concrete criteria formeasuring progress. Measuring progress helps you stay on track.Everyone should know when the goal has been achieved.Action-orientedAn action-oriented goal uses verbs that indicate the course ofaction to be followed. Everyone knows what steps you will take toaccomplish your vision.RealisticA realistic goal is practical and achievable within the definedtimelines. The goal must express an objective you are willing and ableto work towards. A goal should stretch you, but not so far that you willbe discouraged before you even start.Time sensitiveThe goal has a definite deadline for completion and realizes the limits resourceof available resources.constrainedThe following is an example of a SMART goal:By June 30, I will be able to explain to a colleague, physiotherapy assistant or patientthe surgical procedures (Hartman, hemi-colectomy, trachea-esophageal fistula), includingindications for physiotherapy intervention.Ph4

SMART Goal Exercisesyy Five exercises (page 5-8) are presented to help identify the components of goal statements anddetermine if they meet the SMART format. Answers follow each example.yy A SMART goal worksheet (page 9) is provided to help with drafting a SMART goal.yy Two examples of SMART goals (page 10-11).yy A list of action verbs to be used in goal statements (page 12).Exercise 1: Is the goal specific?How specific are the following goals? Indicate if the goals are specific enough to spell out thedetails of the goal.Goal statementa)To use appropriate resources to increase patientindependence.b)To take measurements for custom made orthotics.c)To learn a few words and phases in Chinese to beable to communicate better with my clients.d)To learn more about using fitness gym equipmentat the local fitness centre for upper and lowerextremity sports injuries.e)To get updated on the most recent literature inthe treatment of musculoskeletal injuries.f)To increase knowledge about risks/causes,Too generalSpecific enoughprevention and treatment related to skinbreakdown of patients confined to bed or chairs.g)To have a paper accepted for presentation inthe future.AnswersToo general - a, e, g.Specific enough - b, c, d, f.5

Exercise 2: Is the goal measurable?Measurable goals are quantifiable. They provide a standard. Being ‘better’ is too ambiguous. How do youknow when you are ‘better?’ What is enough?Which of the following are measurable?Goal statementIs my goal measurable?Yesa)NoTo complete and record brief comprehensive multi-dimensionassessments of the elderly client.b)To prepare and present an overview of sports injuries to agroup of fitness club members.c)To learn more about current surgery and rehab concepts inthe treatment of anterior cruciate ligaments.d)To pass the McKenzie credentialing exam.e)To learn how to incorporate biofeedback into my treatments.f)To expand my knowledge and understanding of Lou Gehrig’sDisease.g)To complete the Acupuncture Foundation of Canada InstituteLevel 1 acupuncture exam by June 30 next year.AnswersMeasurable - a, b, d, g.Not measurable - c, e, f.Exercise 3: Does the goal use an action verb?Verbs tell you what activity is to be carried out. List some action verbs:See page 12 for a list of action verbs.Ph6

Exercise 4: Is the goal realistic?Are the following realistic or unrealistic?Goal statementIs my goal realistic?Yesa)NoTo introduce new equipment that will improveclient outcomes and satisfaction.b)To understand the effect of five medications fordrugs used in the treatment of osteoporosis.c)To become an expert clinician within 12 months.d)To complete the Part B examinations within 12months.e)To update clinical skills in all areas.f)To speak Chinese fluently by the end of the fourmonth introductory language course.g)To learn two new treatments for stroke.AnswersWhether a goal is realistic or not will, of course, depend on the people, resources andcircumstances involved. But based on certain assumptions and generalities, here are theresponses: Realistic - a, b, g. Unrealistic - c, d, e, f. Note - d may be realistic if someone has finished the course work,but not if they are starting the course work.7

Exercise 5: Does the goal have a time line?Time-resource-constrained goals establish time lines and resources needed to achieve the goal. Time linesencourage action and deadlines encourage activity. These help you evaluate your progress and motivate you tomove along towards your goal.Which of the following are deadlines and which are appropriate expressions of time?Time line specifiedDoes my goal include a deadline?Yesa)On a continuous basisb)By the end of the fiscal yearc)By December 31 of this yeard)By the end of six monthse)As soon as possiblef)At the end of my medical rotationg)Sometime next weekNoAnswers:Yes - b, c, d, f.No - a, e, g.Ph8

SMART Goal WorksheetGoal componentComponent descriptionS pecificEnough details is present to provide a clearMy goal componentpicture of what is desired.M easurableThe goal is measurable so you know whenyou have achieved it.A ction-orientedThe details of what you are to do are clear.R ealisticThe goal is applicable to your current workrole or another role you are planning ontaking on.T ime and ResourceConstrainedTimeline and costs (if any) are associatedwith the goal.Completed goal statement:9

Sample SMART Goal WorksheetsExample 1 - Surgical procedures:Goal componentS pecificComponent descriptionMy goal componentEnough detail is present to provide aSurgical procedures – Hartmann, hemi-clear picture of what is desired.colectomy, laryngectomy, tracheaesophageal fistula.M easurableThe goal is measurable so you knowUnderstand and be able to explainwhen you have achieved it.procedures to patient and/orassistants/students includingindications as a physiotherapyintervention.A ction-orientedThe details of what you are to do areReview textbooks, internet, hospitalclear.library, discuss with surgicalnursing staff and surgical resident.R ealisticThe goal is applicable to your currentAppropriate for surgical unit I amwork role or another role you areassigned to.planning on taking on.T ime and ResourceConstrainedTime line and costs (if any) areJune 30.associated with the goal.Completed goal statement:By June 30, I will be able to explain to a colleague, physiotherapy assistant or patient, the surgicalprocedures (Hartman, hemi-colectomy, trachea-esophageal fistula), including indications forphysiotherapy intervention.Key competency on Learning Planner Tracker - Expert 1.5 ‘develops and recommends an intervention strategy.’Ph10

Example 2 - Informed consent:Goal componentS pecificComponent descriptionMy goal componentEnough detail is present to provide aI need to improve my documentationclear picture of what is desired.around decision making and consent totreatment plan with patients.M easurableThe goal is measurable so you knowBy January 30, 90% of my chartswhen you have achieved it.contain a note indicating that I havediscussed, and the patient hasconsented, to a plan of care.A ction-orientedThe details of what you are to do areclear.y Establish a baseline of currentpractice – conduct a chart audit of25 charts by October 31.y Review the clinic forms and reviseto include a section for PTs to initialwhen consent to the plan of care hasbeen discussed and obtained - ensureI am consistent with discussing theplan of care with all patients.R ealisticThe goal is applicable to your currentIndicating consent has been obtainedwork role or another role you areis required for work. Documentingplanning on taking on.consent to the plan of care is part of theCollege clinical records standard whichwe should be meeting all the time.T ime and ResourceConstrainedTimeline and costs (if any) areAchieve 90% compliance by Septemberassociated with the goal.30 and 100% by the end of the year.Completed goal statement:By September 30, 90% of 25 of my randomly selected charts will contain a written entry signifying thattreatment consent was discussed and obtained. By December 30, I will achieve 100% compliance.Key competency on Learning Planner Tracker is Collaborator 3.1 because the competency 3.14 ‘promotesactive and informed shared decision making’ best describes the topic of this learning goal.11

Action VerbsManagement skillsCommunication skillsOrganizational rapy Alberta Learning goals and SMART goals May 2012Research rchsolvesummarizesurveysystematizetestTechnical 12