title: Practice variation in the structure of stroke rehabilitation in four rehabilitation centres in the Netherlands.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe practice variation in the structure of stroke rehabilitation in 4 specialized multidisciplinary rehabilitation centres in the Netherlands.
  
  
  METHODS
  A multidisciplinary expert group formulated a set of 23 elements concerning the structure of inpatient and outpatient stroke rehabilitation, categorized into 4 domains: admission-related (n = 7), treatment-related (n = 10), client involvement-related (n = 2), and facilities-related (n = 4). In a cross-sectional study in 4 rehabilitation centres data on the presence and content of these elements were abstracted from treatment programmes and protocols. In a structured expert meeting consensus was reached on the presence of practice variation per element.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Practice variation was observed in 22 of the 23 structure elements. The element "strategies for patient involvement" appeared similar in all rehabilitation centres, whereas differences were found in the elements regarding admission, exclusion and discharge criteria, patient subgroups, care pathways, team meetings, clinical assessments, maximum time to admission, aftercare and return to work modules, health professionals, treatment facilities, and care-giver involvement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Practice variation was found in a wide range of aspects of the structure of stroke rehabilitation.
authors: , Rijnlands Rehabilitation Centre, Wassenaarseweg 501, NL-2333 AL Leiden, The Netherlands. igo@rrc.nl.
authors: Iris F
authors: IF
authors: Groeneveld
authors: Jorit J L
authors: JJ
authors: Meesters
authors: Henk J
authors: HJ
authors: Arwert
authors: Nienke
authors: N
authors: Roux-Otter
authors: Gerard M
authors: GM
authors: Ribbers
authors: Coen A M
authors: CA
authors: van Bennekom
authors: Paulien H
authors: PH
authors: Goossens
authors: Thea P M
authors: TP
authors: Vliet Vlieland
mesh_terms: D000359:Aftercare / Q000458:organization & administration; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D009426:Netherlands; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000592:standards; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000592:standards; D011364:Professional Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation