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According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 2.4 billion people worldwide have conditions that benefit from therapy and rehab efforts. While anyone may suddenly need help after an injury, surgery or illness, there are various treatment options that patients may want to discuss with rehabilitative physicians, specialists or nursing staff, including in-patient, outpatient and home-based therapies. Each of these three options offer unique benefits to patients, who may take part in all three therapy modalities during their healing journeys, but getting the facts about each approach can help individuals make a more informed choice for themselves or a loved one.
In-Patient Therapy
For in-patient treatment programs, patients stay within a facility, likely a therapy and rehab center or a nursing home, for the duration of physical therapy or other rehabilitation. These facilities generally focus exclusively on in-patient care and may feature individual therapy that is fine-tuned to the patient’s personal needs and goals.
Many people who have severe health conditions, such as stroke, heart attack and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), benefit best from in-patient therapy. Additionally, those who are recovering from accidents or injuries, along with people who have had joint replacement surgery, may receive in-patient care to help them achieve maximum mobility and functionality.
Patients should consider in-patient therapy if:
- They have suffered a serious injury or undergone a complex surgery that requires intensive therapy in addition to comprehensive care.
- They live alone and have an acute condition or degenerative disease such as osteoporosis and arthritis, which can make it impractical to do therapy away from the center.
- Their recovery is time-sensitive and they need help managing a faster healing process.
What makes in-patient therapy so valuable in these scenarios? When staying at a facility, a patient can receive 24/7 monitoring and pain management, which can be a significant benefit in the early days of recovery. They will also receive meals, personal care necessities and may have access to pools, spas as well as other recreational areas. While these amenities can make the patient’s stay more pleasant, they can also boost healing by promoting self-care and exercise.
Additionally, the equipment needed for recovery is already available within the facility, making it easier to stick to a treatment regimen without the added burden of travel. Another advantage is that patients may have opportunities to interact with others working on recovery and participate in motivational support groups.
Outpatient Therapy
An outpatient arrangement allows patients to stay at home, with treatment delivered through recurring visits to a clinic or therapy practice. When participating in outpatient therapy, patients may work with specialists such as physical, occupational or speech therapists as well as counselors and nutritionists. Together, the therapy team will customize the patient’s treatment plan, including how long and how often they will need to attend sessions.
Intensive outpatient programs can be highly fruitful while still allowing time for independent living. According to clinical research, outpatient treatment can be just as effective as a more closely-monitored in-patient setup. Some patients may transition from in-patient to outpatient therapy as their conditions progress, while others—such as those with chronic ailments like multiple sclerosis and traumatic brain injury—may take part in outpatient therapy long-term to manage their conditions.
Outpatient therapy benefits patients when:
- They can commute to appointments without too much difficulty.
- They prefer to be in their own home most of the time.
- Their work commitments would make in-patient treatment challenging.
- They can handle their own care and recovery outside the center in terms of mobility and physical independence.
- They feel capable of managing self-care, including taking medication on time, eating as recommended and cleaning wounds (if applicable).
For many patients, maintaining a sense of independence is one of the significant benefits of an outpatient therapy model. With outpatient therapy, they can sustain a personal life and continue with work or family duties outside of treatment. They can also get access to the specialized equipment needed for recovery when on-site at the clinic and can supplement in-person visits with exercises or activities at home.
Home-Based Therapy
Home-based treatment occurs when physical or occupational therapy is done at home, which can benefit patients who can’t attend on-site appointments easily. At times, individuals with certain disabilities can find it challenging to travel regularly, but in-home care gives them access to the ongoing treatment and support they need. Additionally, in-home therapy can reach patients who lack adequate transportation to attend appointments. People recovering from a stroke, heart attack or injury may be good candidates for home-based therapy, along with people with mobility-limiting conditions like Parkinson’s disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Home-based care may be the right approach if:
- The patient lacks adequate physical mobility to travel repeatedly over short intervals.
- Their condition may be so acute or severe that leaving their home would cause health risks.
- They may not have transportation means to get to their outpatient mental health specialist.
- They may desire private sessions in their home, even though they do not have other issues that make it difficult to see therapists.
By eliminating the need for travel, home-based therapy can reach patients who might not have access to care as well as allow treatment in the comfort and familiarity of one’s own home. This enables patients to safeguard their privacy while maintaining independence – two factors than can foster positive emotions throughout the recovery journey.
Removing Barriers In Therapy
While weighing the pros and cons of these forms of therapy, bear in mind that insurance may not cover the ideal treatment plan. Furthermore, every treatment option has the potential to introduce further challenges, such as cumbersome billing processes that patients and providers need to be prepared for.
Here at Raintree Systems, we are dedicated to providing flexible, powerful solutions for therapy and rehab providers, patients as well as payors. Our all-in-one platform facilitates interoperable billing, EMR documentation, interactive reporting and automated patient engagement, all of which eases therapists’ workloads in addition to enhancing the delivery of excellent patient care.