Hospital based rehabilitative care versus outpatient services

What is it about?

The goal of this clinical trial was to examine the long-term impact of rehabilitative care on the health status of patients diagnosed with a disabling disorder. Study patients consisted of first-time hospitalizations from diagnostic groups commonly admitted for inpatient rehabilitation, including nervous, circulatory, and musculoskeletal disorders or injury. Patients were randomly assigned to inpatient rehabilitation (n = 43) or to outpatient follow-up (n = 42) in which the usual medical services were provided but no scheduled rehabilitative therapies were offered. Specific objectives of the study were to determine the effects of impatient rehabilitation on: (1) functional ability, (2) health and mental health status, (3) personal adjustment, and (4) family function. Cost and use of health-care resources were descriptively assessed

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Why is it important?

The findings suggest that hospital-based rehabilitative care does not have lasting benefits, and that alternative care or supportive follow-up by a subacute-care facility may be needed to assist patients in maintaining functional gains and health benefits