Abstract
A behavioural mapping procedure was used to describe the behavioural profile, pattern of interaction and location of patients in a rehabilitation unit for traumatically spinal cord injured people. Naturalistic observations were obtained during two observational periods (9 months) before and after the implementation of a Goal Planning/Patient Advocate Programme. Results from the first observational study revealed that patients spent a considerable proportion of their time in solitary disengaged behaviours and large amounts of time in the ward area during the 'Therapeutic Day'. The Goal Planning System was introduced to increase involvement in rehabilitation and reduce institutionalisation. The second study which evaluated the ecological impact revealed that patients were observed to spend significantly less time in disengaged behaviours, more time in verbal interaction and significantly less time in the ward area during the Therapeutic Day. It is concluded that the Goal Planning System used is an effective way of maximising the therapeutic potential of the rehabilitative environment.
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Kennedy, P., Walker, L. & White, D. Ecological evaluation of goal planning and advocacy in a rehabilitation environment for spinal cord injured people. Spinal Cord 29, 197–202 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1038/sc.1991.28
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sc.1991.28