The Transformation of the Rehabilitation Paradigm Across the Continuum of Care

As healthcare continues to evolve, there are changes in the delivery of care for patients with severe neurologic injuries. Although the acute hospital stay is shortening, physiatrists can play a key role in preparing patients for rehabilitation, minimizing longer-term complications and helping to determine the most appropriate paths for further treatment. Inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) continue to be an important part of the care continuum for patients with severe injuries, but the role of IRFs has also evolved as patients have been admitted with increasing medical and neurologic complexity and length of stay continues to be reduced. Skilled nursing facilities and subacute facilities continue to evolve, in part to fill the gaps that have developed for patients who are “not yet ready for rehabilitation” and for those whose recovery trajectory has been deemed too slow for IRF. Outpatient care is also changing, in part due to the availability of new rehabilitation interventions as highlighted in other sections of the supplement. Furthermore, telemedicine will provide additional options for expanding specialized care beyond prior geographical limitations. Physiatrists need to be aware of these ongoing changes and the roles that they can play outside of the traditional IRF model of care. This article will focus on the innovations in healthcare delivery and opportunities to maximize outcomes in the current and future models of care.