Early rehabilitation and its implementation at the work place.
During the last few decades a change has taken place in the morbidity pattern of industrialized societies. The proportion of chronic illness and disability has increased in middle-aged and elderly populations. Much of this disability appears as a result of gradual degenerative processes proceeding slowly towards severe disability. The practice of rehabilitation has not, however, been able to adapt flexibly to the new situation. The need for changing the emphasis of rehabilitation from mere restoration towards preventive aims is discussed in this paper. The branch of rehabilitation which has preventive aims is called early rehabilitation. Possibilities of implementing early rehabilitation activity at the work place are surveyed and a model, which was developed at two authorities of the City of Helsinki, is presented. In conclusion, some general problems concerning early rehabilitation are discussed.
D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005387:Finland; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D010348:Patient Care Team; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational / Q000379:methods*