J Korean Med Assoc.  2017 Nov;60(11):885-888. 10.5124/jkma.2017.60.11.885.

Ideal delivery system of rehabilitation medical service

• Cho KH

• KMID: 2395594
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2017.60.11.885

Abstract

Rehabilitation care requires an organized health care delivery system, stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, amputation, severe multiple musculoskeletal injury, and congenital damage to the nervous system frequently result in permanent disability or a temporary serious reduction of bodily function. These diseases or injuries require acute medical treatment at general and tertiary hospitals, but then also require a long period of intensive and comprehensive rehabilitation treatment. Currently, a 3-stage rehabilitation care delivery system, involving acute, subacute (recovery), and chronic (maintenance) rehabilitation, is being considered. Although the concepts underlying this delivery system have not yet been clearly defined, acute rehabilitation should be provided at general and tertiary hospitals for patients with permanent disabilities, an unstable medical condition, and/or a severe temporary reduction of bodily function simultaneously with or immediately after acute medical treatment. Cardiac rehabilitation, respiratory rehabilitation, pressure ulcer management, rehabilitation of severe cerebral palsy, rare diseases, and cancer, for which the cooperation of internal, surgical, and critical care staff is essential, are included in acute rehabilitation. Additionally, intensive and comprehensive inpatient subacute (recovery) rehabilitation should be provided for patients with severely impaired bodily function who are medically stable. Subsequently, chronic rehabilitation may be required for patients who need postural changes throughout the day, those who require rehabilitation treatment intended to prevent long-term complications and to ensure the maintenance of body function, those who show shortness of breath or dysphagia, and those who show little improvements of bodily function, making discharge into the home difficult. These services can be categorized as outpatient, visiting, or long-term rehabilitation services.

Keyword

Rehabilitation medicine; Delivery of health care; Public health

MeSH Terms

Amputation
Brain Injuries
Cerebral Palsy
Critical Care
Deglutition Disorders
Delivery of Health Care
Dyspnea
Humans
Inpatients
Nervous System
Outpatients
Pressure Ulcer
Public Health
Rare Diseases
Rehabilitation*
Spinal Cord Injuries
Stroke
Tertiary Care Centers

Reference

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