Industrial rehabilitation comes of age

Yes, industrial rehabilitation has come of age. The "trendiness" and "glitz" associated with such programs are now gone (or, at least, on the wane). These programs are now being subjected to the same scrutiny as other business ventures, no longer seen as the "cash cows" that single-handedly can end the financial woes of an organization. Along with this maturity has come an accreditation system with accepted standards of practice, care and methodological style; a data base reporting on the range and limits of program capability; and the realization by the insurance community that industrial rehabilitation can be effective and that these programs are reasonable assessment and intervention alternatives for selected patients. We have also noted that as these programs grow past their adolescence it will be important to pay close attention to basic questions of cost, value, and worth. While most programs have not been totally "institutionalized" into the health care provision system, their honeymoon phase has reached a positive conclusion. It's now time to look very closely at where we are today, remember where we have come from, and look to the future with a realistic and clear view.