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Physiotherapy vocabulary · Rehabilitation Planning and Records

SMART goals

Meaning in physiotherapy, with examples

nounCommon term

In physiotherapy, SMART goals means: Treatment goals written to be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound, so that progress can be checked clearly.

In Turkish: SMART hedefler, ölçülebilir tedavi hedefleri

How it is used

Used in rehabilitation planning and notes. Physiotherapists set or agree SMART goals with patients, such as 'walk 100 metres with a stick within three weeks'. Some versions use 'Attainable' or 'Realistic' for the A and R. Goals are usually split into short-term and long-term goals.

Example sentences

  1. Let's turn 'get better' into SMART goals, like walking to the shop within four weeks.

  2. Each patient's SMART goals are reviewed at the weekly team meeting.

Common collocations

  • set SMART goals
  • agree goals with the patient
  • short-term goals
  • long-term goals
  • goal setting
  • treatment planThe agreed set of treatments, goals and timescales for a patient, based on the findings of the assessment.
  • rehabilitationThe process of helping a person recover strength, movement and independence after an injury, illness or operation, or adapt to a lasting disability.
  • outcome measureA standard test or questionnaire used to measure a patient's condition at the start of treatment and again later, to show whether things are changing.
  • activities of daily livingThe basic everyday tasks people do to look after themselves, such as washing, dressing, eating, using the toilet and moving around the home.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Rehabilitation Planning and Records

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.