Linking purpose to procedure during interactions with patients.

Occupational therapists' use of goal statements during interactions with patients can extend far beyond the care-planning session. Each treatment session provides an opportunity to match goals decided upon by the patient and therapist with a structured activity, thus endowing that activity with a therapeutic purpose. This article presents a rationale for discussing with patients the purpose and relevance of any procedure. The rationale for providing information and explanation is based on current health care trends, traditional occupational therapy assumptions, and the often ambiguous nature of activity, occupational therapy's primary modality.