Outpatient vs. Inpatient Rehabilitation: Findings of a Propensity Score Matched Analysis

Abstract

Objective Comparison of outpatient and inpatient rehabilitation concerning disability pensions and further work participation outcomes Methods We included 18-60 years old patients who completed an inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation program due to musculoskeletal disorders during the first half of 2007. Outpatient and inpatient patients were matched by propensity scores. Administrative data were analysed. Results Our primary analyses compared 4752 outpatient and 7435 inpatient patients. The absolute risks of a disability pension were 3.8% and 5.2% in favour of outpatient participants (RR=0.73; 95% CI: 0.62 to 0.87). The duration of unemployment and sickness benefits were marginally lower for outpatient patients. Conclusions Outpatient rehabilitation achieved slightly better outcomes. The benefit of outpatient rehabilitation was strongest in patients with more severe restrictions of participation. The study explores how using administrative data may enable evaluative rehabilitation service research.