Setting goals with patients to promote behavioural change

Social and psychological factors not only affect people's physical and mental health but can also be used in treating problems.

As health professionals, we can take a more psychological approach, by actively asking about patients' concerns and supporting them to better manage their own health needs. We can act as a catalyst in harnessing their personal resources to promote changes in a way that makes good use of available services.

Many health professionals feel it is hard to achieve lasting change through behavioural interventions but, when it occurs, it is highly rewarding, both for themselves and for patients and can potentially offer significant NHS cost-savings.