Module 3: Assessment

Lesson 5

Anxiety: Goals of care

Ruling out comorbid conditions that may be producing the anxiety is the first goal of care. If a diagnosis of anxiety is made, monitoring the client’s status every two weeks is required initially, and more frequently in children, seniors, or medically ill patients.

Through the use of treatment modalities, including empathetic listening, patient education, psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), relaxation techniques, and pharmacological agents, the goals of care are

• reduction in self-reported anxiety; and
• improved daily functioning.

From Bilsker, Samra, and Goldner (2009).