Aims: Comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) is recommended to support person‑centred care, yet little is known about the types of goals that frail older adults prioritise following a cancer diagnosis. This study aimed to characterise the goals identified by frail older adults with cancer using Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) and to examine associations with frailty and quality of life.
Methods: This mixed‑methods study analysed baseline data from the GOAL Lung trial, a prospective study embedding geriatrician‑led CGA into oncology care. Participants aged ≥65 years (or ≥55 years for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples) with frailty (frailty index >0.25) completed GAS at enrolment. Free‑text goals were analysed using deductive content analysis and categorised into domains, then transformed into quantitative data. Descriptive statistics examined goal patterns across frailty categories.
Results: Thirty‑seven participants (median age 75 years; median frailty index 0.33), most with advanced cancer (n=35, 95%), set 89 goals. Most goals related to social engagement and hobbies (48%) and function (22%), particularly mobility, rather than physical health (17%), psychological health (9%), or future planning (3%). Common goals included maintaining relationships with family, participating in hobbies, and preserving walking ability. Goal number and domains were similar across frailty severity.
Conclusions: Frail older adults with cancer prioritise meaningful participation, relationships, and function over disease‑focused outcomes and goals related to future planning. Incorporating structured goal‑setting within CGA provides critical insight into patient priorities and may enhance truly person‑centred geriatric oncology care. Future research will evaluate whether CGA can improve goal attainment in this population.