Objectives, goals, and outcomes: what's the difference?

Abstract

Goals are individualized and specific. Outcome criteria are expected end results based on standards of practice for a specific home care problem (i.e., disease process, etc.). Goals take into account all the factors of the individual, including the outcome criteria, whereas outcome criteria take into account only clinician knowledge of aggregate clinical information. It remains difficult to establish clearly the difference between behavioral objectives, goals, and outcomes in general. A great deal depends on the context in which the terms are used. For example, is the setting educational, patient centered, or program centered? To become clear on the terms in your agency, their definition and meaning should be written in the appropriate manuals and agency policies. They should be used consistently in all your discussions, forms, and processes. As with many other areas of healthcare, there often are no concrete "black and white" definitions, but rather, interlocking shades of gray.