Community outreach rehabilitation

Abstract

Objective: to review controlled studies evaluating the effectiveness of community rehabilitation schemes developed to facilitate effective discharge from hospital. To briefly describe the community outreach rehabilitation scheme which has been developed in York, UK. Results: in the last 10 years, 9 controlled trials were identified of which 6 resulted in improved outcome. There were no overall or mixed outcome differences observed in the other 3. Cost analysis calculations were controversial. However, in 4 of the studies early structured discharge appeared to result in cost savings-mainly by reducing hospital length of stay. Conclusion: though the studies were heterogeneous in design and involved different patient groups, community rehabilitation schemes appeared to be effective in facilitating earlier discharge from hospital.