Is the continuity of the therapist–patient relationship relevant for the discharge outcome in orthopaedic physical rehabilitation?

Abstract

Continuity of care has been linked to patient satisfaction and self-reported outcomes. Following hip fractures in the elderly, rehabilitation aims at restoring patients’ mobility and independence at the pre-fracture level and at the earliest possible time. Despite the potential role of physiotherapists’ continuity on functional outcomes, this correlation has not yet been studied in an acute orthopaedic setting. Guaranteeing the presence of the same physical therapist on individual patients is challenging from an organizational point of view. An observational retrospective study was conducted on 129 aged patients (84 ± 8 years) who underwent surgery for proximal hip fracture. Indicators of outcomes were ILOA score at discharge, length of stay and achievement of rehabilitation goals as defined by the Individual Rehabilitation Project. The number of physical therapists taking care of patients was monitored during the patient’s hospital stay. No correlation was found between the number of physical therapists and functional goals at discharge. The frequent change of physical therapists providing rehabilitation to elderly patients who underwent surgery for hip fragile fracture is not related to functional outcomes.