Outpatient Rehabilitation Facility Research Articles

Application of the guidelines for client-centred practice to paediatric occupational therapy.

This paper outlines the process of incorporating the "Guidelines For the Client-Centred Practice of Occupational Therapy" into the practice of occupational therapy in an out-patient rehabilitation facility serving young people with physical disabilities. Specifically, the areas of practice addressed are screening and assessment. The process started in 1987 with an identification of the need to find a holistic framework that meets the complex needs of clients with chronic physical disabilities. The conceptual model of occupational performance, as outlined in the Guidelines, provided such a framework. The process of incorporating the Guidelines into the screening and assessment practices of occupational therapists at Erinoak Serving Young People With Physical Disabilities is described, with examples of documents developed by the department. Suggestions are given to integrate the conceptual model of occupational performance into the practice of occupational therapists working with children and adolescents with physical disabilities.

CORFs

This paper follows the development of Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (CORFs) as they emerged from the Day Hospital concept to a new healthcare delivery system. The structure, requirements for stature, reimbursement considerations and potential problems associated with CORFs are discussed. Issues relating to the care of patients with brain injuries are presented and an innovative model of an institute that individualizes a program of techniques to arouse comatose patients and trains and supports families during the process of arousal from coma, are described. The paper goes on to explore the problems and potentials for CORFs to serve as a cost effective, efficient health service delivery system for brain-injured patients with long-term rehabilitative needs.

The use of a residential medical rehabilitation centre.

An analysis of the work load of a residential medical rehabilitation centre revealed that 72% of the patients were treated for neurological or orthopaedic disorders and 70% were over 40 years of age. Over half were referred by general physicians and orthopaedic surgeons, A questionnaire was sent to consultant physicians, orthopaedic surgeons, neurologists, neurosurgeons, and rheumatologists working in the North-East Metropolitan Region. Replies indicated that there is a large demand for in-patient rehabilitation services in the area, preferably in centres attached to the local hospitals. Only 71% of those who replied had access to out-patient rehabilitation facilities, and there was a shortage of ancillary staff in the non-teaching hospitals. When asked to choose between a convalescent home, a hostel, and a rehabilitation centre for their own hospital group, 55% preferred a rehabilitation centre.