Models for integrating rehabilitation and primary care: a scoping study.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the scope and breadth of knowledge currently available regarding the integration of rehabilitation and primary care services.


METHODS
Peer-reviewed journals were searched using CINAHL, MEDLINE, and EBM Reviews for the years 1995 through 2007. This process identified 172 items.


METHODS
To be considered for the subsequent review, the article had to describe a service delivery program that offered primary care and rehabilitation, or services specifically designed for people with chronic conditions/disabilities. Further, it had to be available in English or French. No methodological limitations were applied to screen for levels of evidence.


METHODS
Based on these criteria, 38 articles remained that pertained to both primary care and rehabilitation. These were reviewed, sorted, and categorized to discover commonalities and differences among the approaches used to integrating rehabilitation into primary care.


RESULTS
In consultation with the team of investigators, it was determined that there were 6 different models for providing primary health care and rehabilitation services in an integrated approach: clinic, outreach, self-management, community-based rehabilitation, shared care, and case management. In addition, a number of themes were identified across models that may act as either supports or impediments to the integration of rehabilitation services into primary care settings: team approach, interprofessional trust, leadership, communication, compensation, accountability, referrals, and population-based approach.


CONCLUSIONS
Rehabilitation providers interested in working in the primary care sector may be assisted in conceptualizing the benefits that they bring to the setting by considering these models and issues.
McColl
Mary Ann
MA
Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. mccollm@queensu.ca
Shortt
Samuel
S
Godwin
Marshall
M
Smith
Karen
K
Rowe
Kirby
K
O'Brien
Patti
P
Donnelly
Catherine
C
D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000458:organization & administration; D019090:Case Management / Q000458:organization & administration; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D017146:Models, Organizational; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012046:Rehabilitation / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods