Ep 14. Goal Setting

In this episode, Dan and Justine break down how they each set goals and manage expectations with their patients. We dive into why your 'why' matters, how to connect your purpose to your plan, create discipline, tap into motivation, identify your purpose and cultivate confidence, so patients can better tie their actions to their goals and create long-term progress. This episode aims to help patients improve communication and have more effective appointments with their clinicians, and clinicians link their interventions to the goals of the patient in a more compelling way to improve buy-in.

It's Not in Your Head: Goal Setting for Chronic Pain Management

In this episode of "It's Not in Your Head," hosts Dr. Dan Bates and Justine Feitelson (Dan and Juz) delve into the crucial topic of goal setting for individuals managing chronic pain. The discussion blends medical insights with practical advice, offering a comprehensive approach to setting and achieving meaningful goals in the context of chronic pain management.

Key Points

The Importance of Deep Motivation

Juz emphasizes that when setting goals for chronic pain management, your "why" must be profound. This is because:

• The journey is challenging

• It takes a considerable amount of time

• Superficial motivations like appearance are insufficient

Instead, focus on reconnecting with who you used to feel like emotionally. The equation "Purpose (why/goals) + Plan = Discipline" underscores the importance of linking habits to desired outcomes for sustainable motivation.

Goal-Setting Framework

1. Break down goals: Set objectives for 1 month, 3 months, and 1 year from now

2. Extend the timeline: Remove urgency, acknowledging that recovery takes time

3. Manage expectations: Be realistic about the process

4. Self-reflection: Examine past coping mechanisms honestly and non-judgmentally

5. Control assessment: Define what you can and cannot control, focusing efforts on controllable factors

Dan's Approach to Goal Setting

Dr. Bates suggests:

• Identifying the most critical goal

• Contextualizing goals within the broader picture of treatment

• Communicating clearly with healthcare providers about desired outcomes

Therapeutic Limitations and Expectations

The discussion touches on:

• The concept of Numbers Needed to Treat (NNT) and its implications for treatment expectation

• The limitations of applying group data to individual cases

• The importance of understanding pain mechanisms to decrease anxiety and begin effective treatment

Evidence-Based Medicine

The hosts highlight that evidence-based medicine comprises three key elements:

1. Randomized controlled trials

2. Critical thinking

3. Patient needs and preferences

This approach acknowledges both the value of scientific evidence and the importance of individualized care in tailoring treatment options to the patients goals, priorities and desires.