The Functional Assessment Measure (FIM + FAM) as part of the hospital discharge summary after brain injury rehabilitation.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the value of providing Functional Assessment Measure (FIM + FAM) data as part of the hospital discharge information after brain injury rehabilitation.


METHODS
Postal survey of general practitioners (GPs) and consultants.


METHODS
Consecutive discharges (n = 117) from an early brain injury rehabilitation unit over one year.


RESULTS
Response rates were 81% from GPs and 54% from consultants. Eighty-four (89%) of GPs and 57 (82%) of consultants rated the information as useful; 87 (92%) and 51 (84%) respectively described the accompanying notes as easy to understand.


CONCLUSIONS
The incorporation of FIM + FAM data in discharge summaries is worthwhile but the utility of this practice is still to be established.
Pentland
B
B
Rehabilitation Studies Unit, The University of Edinburgh, UK.
Hellawell
D J
DJ
Benjamin
J
J
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003625:Data Collection; D006801:Humans; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010821:Physicians, Family; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires