Goal setting in stroke rehabilitation: A systematic review and qualitative synthesis of the experiences and perspectives of healthcare professionals

ObjectiveTo synthesise and analyse qualitative evidence relevant to the question: What are the experiences and perspectives of healthcare professionals on goal setting in stroke rehabilitation?Data sourcesPubMed, PsycINFO, MEDLINE and CINAHL were systematically searched in May 2025, supplemented by backward and forward citation searching.Review methodsThis systematic review was pre-registered on PROSPERO (CRD420251038210). Eligibility criteria included peer-reviewed qualitative or mixed methods studies with qualitative data from healthcare professionals outlining experiences of goal setting in stroke rehabilitation. Non-English publications were excluded. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklist was used to appraise quality. Data were analysed using thematic synthesis.ResultsEight studies, published between 1999 and 2020, were included. These comprised 108 clinicians of various rehabilitation disciplines, from multiple countries, working across acute, inpatient and community settings. Most data were collected via semi-structured interviews. Methodological rigour of identified studies was generally high. Nine descriptive themes emerged from the thematic synthesis. From these descriptive themes, three analytical themes were derived: (1) Who leads, who follows?, (2) Between hope and reality, (3) Starting with the person, not the problem. Eight of the descriptive themes were directly related to analytical themes, whereas one theme was a stand-alone theme. Confidence in the thematic synthesis findings was assessed as moderate.ConclusionThis synthesis of qualitative studies from various rehabilitation settings in stroke found that experiences of goal setting from the perspective of healthcare professionals describe directive and collaborative approaches, emotional aspects of goal setting in time-limited contexts and a commitment to person-centred care.