What is real rehabilitation?
Electrophoresis, «healing» mud and mineral water are not aligned with the principles of evidence-based, effective, and patient-centered rehabilitation care provided by multidisciplinary rehabilitation teams within medical facilities, in accordance with the legislation on rehabilitation in the healthcare sector. The process of assisting individuals in need of rehabilitation commences as soon as they enter the hospital. In cases where an illness, injury, or domestic incident results in a functional limitation, rehabilitation specialists promptly engage with the patient following the stabilization of their condition.
A multidisciplinary rehabilitation team is being assembled, with its composition tailored to meet the specific needs of each individual. Meanwhile, patients are granted the autonomy to select one of the 397 medical institutions that have entered into contracts with the National Health Service. They can choose from two packages: «Rehabilitation care for adults and children in inpatient conditions» or «Rehabilitation care for adults and children in outpatient conditions». Additionally, for the youngest patients, 129 medical institutions offer rehabilitation services within the package «Medical rehabilitation of babies born prematurely and/or with illnesses during the first three years of life». This empowers patients to exercise their right to choose the most suitable healthcare option for their rehabilitation needs.
Stage 1: Defining the goal
A crucial aspect of the multidisciplinary rehabilitation team’s responsibility is to collaboratively establish the overarching objective of the rehabilitation care program in conjunction with the patient. For instance, in the case of an individual who has experienced a stroke, this goal may revolve around the restoration of limb functionality and speech.
Rehabilitation specialists are entrusted with the task of assisting patients in regaining their capacity for self-care. Their expertise aims to empower individuals to once again engage in independent activities such as dressing, eating, and communicating effectively. Through personalized interventions and support, the rehabilitation team endeavors to facilitate the patient’s journey towards reclaiming their autonomy and reestablishing functional independence.
Stage 2: Forming a team based on the patient’s needs
In line with the determined objective agreed upon with the patient, the physician specializing in physical and rehabilitation medicine devises an optimal rehabilitation plan and assembles a multidisciplinary team of specialists. The composition of the team is tailored according to the individualized «road map» formulated in collaboration with the patient. The team comprises the following professionals:
- Physical therapist
- Occupational therapist
- Rehabilitation nurse
- Psychologist
- Speech and language therapist
- Prosthetist (in cases of amputation)
The entire spectrum of interventions aimed at restoring health, functional status, self-care abilities, and work capacity is based on globally recognized best practices and evidence-based approaches, with proven effectiveness in countries like Sweden and the United States of America. By drawing from these established frameworks, the multidisciplinary rehabilitation team ensures the implementation of high quality and impactful rehabilitation measures for each patient.
Stage 3: Rehabilitation
The patient’s needs determine whether inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation is chosen. The number of interactions between the patient and the rehabilitation team, as well as the duration of the procedures, are then determined. Inpatient rehabilitation for a single direction of rehabilitation must last a minimum of 14 days, with procedures lasting at least 3 hours per day. For multiple directions, the duration extends beyond 21 days. Outpatient rehabilitation typically lasts for 14 days, with therapy sessions lasting at least 1 hour per day. Each patient is entitled to two rehabilitation cycles per year.
The evidence-based rehabilitation process involves a comprehensive range of physical and, if necessary, psychological interventions. This includes a suitable combination of physical and occupational exercises that enable the patient to adapt quickly to potential functional limitations, minimizing their negative impact on daily life. If you are offered «healing» mud, mineral water, «miracle» massages, or thermal baths instead of a genuine, effective, and proven recovery process, please contact the «hotline» of the National Health Service of Ukraine immediately. These services lack proven effectiveness and are not covered by NSZU. The hotline number for NSZU is 16-77.
Stage 4: Discharge
Once the rehabilitation goal is achieved, the provision of rehabilitation services is concluded. In cases where the desired outcome could not be attained within the specified period, the individual rehabilitation plan is adjusted, and the person is referred for another cycle of rehabilitation measures.
Similarly, if the multidisciplinary rehabilitation team identifies signs of permanent functional limitation, the patient is referred to the the MMC (Military Medical Commission). Upon establishing a disability status, the individual gains the opportunity to continue the recovery process in accordance with the «Law on Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities».