engleski

Physiotherapist's role in community based rehabilitation-Croatian experience

PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to present Croatian experiences in applying CBR and development of physiotherapist's role in interdisciplinary team, working in a primary health care setting within an urban community. METHODS: The CBR project started in 1996 in co-operation with Canadian partners (Queen's University, Kingston) and with support of WHO and Croatian Ministry of Health. Aim of the Project was to demonstrate a model of CBR and educate professionals and clients. CBR Centre was established within the community health centre, as outreach activity of "Sveti Duh" General Hospital in Zagreb. The team consisting of physiatrist, physio and occupational therapists, nurse, social worker and peer counsellor developed interdisciplinary approach. The four physiotherapists worked within the project in addition to their tasks at hospital: one of them available at centre each day. RESULTS: Physiotherapists had active role in assessments, making of therapy plans and outcome monitoring. This made necessary for them to change their behaviour, learn new skills and work with other professionals from different fields. Educational materials were produced and library founded. On national level 19 educational meetings were held and a network of 182 organisations and institutions formed. Newsletter is distributed every three months. Up to now 1149 clients have been treated, with emphasis on active exercising, education and self-help measures. 14% of them were war victims, 11% have major disabilities and the rest have musculosceletal problems. CONCLUSION: CBR is medically and economically justified model that has a good perspective in Croatia. The project experience stressed the need for changes in physiotherapy education as well as clinical practice. Changes would guarantee higher level of professional independence as well as higher quality of care for clients.

nije evidentirano

nije evidentirano