| Popis: |
Partial-hospitalization rehabilitation is a relatively recent form of rehabilitation, which, as opposed to the ambulatory approach, comprises the entire programme available for inpatient medical rehabilitation except for accommodation and full board. Great expectations are attached to partial hospitalization: it is supposed to cost less than a comparable in-patient measure but matching in terms of quality. However, hardly any empirical data exist so far concerning the effects partial hospitalization rehabilitation is having in these respects. The present article seeks to answer the question of whether from a patient perspective, the outcome quality of this new model is comparable to that of the classical full-hospitalization programmes. In terms of methodology, questionnaires were used to raise the necessary data from two independent samples (i.e., partial vs. full hospitalization) of former orthopaedic rehabilitees of Fachklinik Ichenhausen (Bavaria). Data analysis included some 205 patient questionnaires (57% return rate). High agreement was found among the two groups concerning outcome evaluation, subjective health and patient satisfaction. From a patient perspective, rehabilitation outcome on the majority of variables considered, even is judged slightly better for partial hospitalization patients than for the inpatient comparison group. As none of these results reach statistical significance, these minor differences should however not be overrated. While partial-hospitalization, rehabilitation, hence, has turned out an option which matches traditional full-hospitalization programmes in terms of quality, too great expectations nevertheless are unwarranted: Partial-hospitalization rehabilitation is no general alternative to inpatient programmes as it will realistically be suitable for a small percentage of orthopaedic patients only, hence be unable to replace full-hospitalization programmes to any major extent. Undoubtedly, however, it is apt to contribute to greater flexibility and needs orientation among the services and programmes available in rehabilitation, and may thus be considered a valuable approach for complementing inpatient and ambulatory forms of rehabilitation. |
