title: [Improvement in occupational rehabilitation of myocardial infarct patients--results of a model study in Rhineland-Pfalz].
abstract: In a pilot trial in Rhineland-Palatinate two instruments for optimizing medical and occupational rehabilitation of myocardial infarction patients were tested: (1) A regional cardiology working group was founded which selected measures to accelerate the rehabilitation process in model region hospitals. (2) At the pilot rehabilitation clinic a counselling service for patients under a case management trial scheme was established. The evaluation showed that three weeks after the heart attack, exercise ECGs were carried out in 77.1% of pilot trial patients (case group) as opposed to only 54.5% of patients receiving standard treatment (control group). During in-patient rehabilitation, a higher proportion of case patients discussed their return to work with their employers. After rehabilitation, the occupational future still was uncertain in 13.2% of the case group, in contrast with 29.5% of the control group. 91.8% of case group patients (64% of controls) had been briefed about support possibilities facilitating a stepwise return to work according to section 74 SGB V; half a year following the beginning of rehabilitation, case group patients were reentergrated into working life in 56.3% (50% of controls).
authors.affiliation: GES Institut für Gesundheits- und Sozialforschung, Berlin.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Häussler
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Keck
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019090:Case Management; D005080:Exercise Test; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010348:Patient Care Team; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation