Imogene King’s Goal Attainment Theory. Imogene King’s Theory of Goal Attainment is a nursing theory introduced in the 1960s that emphasizes the collaborative relationship between nurses and patients to achieve mutually set health goals. It is a framework for understanding the relationship between nurse, patient, and the healthcare environment.

1. The Concept of Goal Attainment

King proposed that nurses and patients set specific, measurable, and attainable goals together. These goals serve as a guide for nursing actions and help focus on the patient’s needs.

2. Personal Systems (Individual Nurses and Patients)

King’s theory includes the idea of personal systems, where both the nurse and the patient are seen as individuals with their perceptions, experiences, and expectations. These personal systems must be aligned for the nurse-patient relationship to be effective. Communication and interaction between the nurse and patient are central in achieving shared goals.

3. Interpersonal Systems (Nurse-Patient Interaction)

Interpersonal systems refer to the interactions and relationships between the nurse and the patient. These relationships are the core of King’s theory, emphasizing that the collaboration between the nurse and patient is vital in setting and attaining goals. Mutual respect, understanding, and communication are essential for successful goal attainment.

4. Social Systems (Healthcare Environment)

In social systems, King looked at the broader context in which care occurs, including the hospital or healthcare setting. Nurses work within a structured system (the healthcare environment) that provides resources, policies, and support to achieve goals. This system includes the family, community, and other healthcare professionals, all of whom influence the attainment of goals.

5. Outcome

The desired outcome of the process is the attainment of the goals.

Importance in Nursing Practice

• Patient-Centered Care: The theory emphasizes patient-centered care by encouraging nurses to collaborate with patients, making them active participants in their care.
• Communication: Effective communication is crucial for setting, understanding, and reaching goals. Nurses must be skilled in communicating with patients to ensure that both are on the same page regarding their health outcomes.
• Holistic Care: King’s theory takes a holistic approach to care, considering not just the patient’s physical needs but also emotional, psychological, and social factors that can affect goal attainment. APA