Rapid Health Technology Assessment in Rehabilitation Hospital: Review Article

Abstract

Background: Medical advances, improved health status, and increased longevity have led to increased elderly in the society; therefore, the role of rehabilitation centers in the service industry has grown considerably in the two past decades. Methods: The studies compared types of rehabilitation centers for the treatment of patients with motor or perception disability and other methods commonly used in rehabilitation, in terms of functional outcomes, Barthel index, and cost-effectiveness, were evaluated. The Cochrane, CRD (Centre for Reviews and Dissemination), Scopus, and Google scholar databases were searched until June 2012. Results were analyzed using qualitative method. Findings: According to 15 included articles, the Barthel index scores in patients with an inpatient rehabilitation (42 ± 29 points) were more than outpatient rehabilitation (26 ± 23 points) (P < 0.050). For inpatient centers, early rehabilitation led to the rapid acquisition of functional abilities than outpatient centers (1.55 vs. 0.50). Regarding to cost-effectiveness of heart diseases, the adjusted cost difference between outpatient and inpatient rehabilitation was about -2895 Euro (P = 0.102); adjusted effect difference was about 0.018 QALY (Quality-adjusted life year) in favor of outpatients rehabilitation, too. Conclusion: With regard to the potential of rehabilitation services and outpatient clinics in day clinics, the establishment of rehabilitation centers was not cost-effective. So, it is proposed to provide services to disabled patients in “rehabilitation units” established in specialized hospitals.

Keywords

• Rehabilitation center
• Effectiveness
• Cost-effectiveness