title: Variations in follow-up services after inpatient stroke rehabilitation: a multicentre study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Care after discharge from inpatient stroke rehabilitation units varies across Europe. The aim of this study was to compare service delivery after discharge.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 532 consecutive patients after stroke were recruited from 4 European rehabilitation centres in Germany, Switzerland, Belgium and the UK. At 2-month intervals, clinical assessments and structured interviews were carried out to document functional status and delivery of services after discharge. Significant factors for receiving follow-up services were analysed using a logistic generalized estimating equation model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After controlling for case-mix, the results showed that Belgian patients were most likely to receive physical therapy but least likely to receive occupational therapy. German patients were least likely to receive nursing care. UK patients were less likely to receive medical care from their general practitioner compared with the other patient groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinical characteristics did not explain the variations in service delivery after discharge from in-patient stroke rehabilitation. The decision-making processes involved in the provision of follow-up services need to be better documented. To improve our understanding of events post-discharge, the influence of non-clinical factors, such as healthcare regulations, should be explored further.
authors: Department of Health Sciences and Medical Sociology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium. kputman@vub.ac.be
authors: Koen
authors: K
authors: Putman
authors: Liesbet
authors: L
authors: De Wit
authors: Wilfred
authors: W
authors: Schupp
authors: Ilse
authors: I
authors: Baert
authors: Nadine
authors: N
authors: Brinkmann
authors: Eddy
authors: E
authors: Dejaeger
authors: Willy
authors: W
authors: De Weerdt
authors: Hilde
authors: H
authors: Feys
authors: Walter
authors: W
authors: Jenni
authors: Christiane
authors: C
authors: Kaske
authors: Nadina
authors: N
authors: Lincoln
authors: Fred
authors: F
authors: Louckx
authors: Birgit
authors: B
authors: Schuback
authors: Bozena
authors: B
authors: Smith
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Leys
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001530:Belgium; D003153:Community Health Services; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010351:Patient Discharge; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D013557:Switzerland; D006113:United Kingdom