Development of guidelines for determining frequency of therapy services in a pediatric medical setting.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this article is to describe guidelines for frequency of therapy services that were developed to help physical therapists and occupational therapists determine appropriate utilization of therapy services in a pediatric medical setting.


METHODS
The guidelines were developed for use by physical and occupational therapists when treating inpatients and outpatients at a large urban Midwest pediatric teaching hospital. Factors for consideration when determining frequency of therapy were adapted from the existing literature. Four modes of service delivery were developed; intensive (3 to 11 times a week), weekly or bimonthly (1 to 2 times a week to every other week), periodic (monthly or less often but at regularly scheduled intervals), and consultative (episodic or as needed). Descriptions are provided in a table format with factors to consider when making treatment frequency decisions.


OBJECTIVE
These guidelines have been helpful to therapists in this medical setting when communicating therapy needs and goals to families and other professionals.
Bailes
Amy F
AF
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229, USA. amy.bailes@cchmc.org
Reder
Rebecca
R
Burch
Carol
C
D000367:Age Factors; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation; D002648:Child; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D009820:Ohio; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000592:standards*; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000592:standards*