["Mobile occupational therapy" for rheumatic patients: development of the service, utilization and management with...

The development and utilization of occupational therapy as a home care service for patients with rheumatic diseases is examined. This new service was implemented in Schleswig-Holstein by local branch of the German League against Rheumatism, an organization devoted to the promotion of help and self-help for patients. The data for this study are based on standardized documentations within a comprehensive evaluation of model-intervention, and also accounting records. From July 1, 1986 until June 31, 1991, there were 1120 prescriptions issued by 293 physicians at 86 locations. 529 patients could be served with a total amount of 6778 time-units of care. The development of the service shows a slowly but steady and region wide growing acceptance by the practitioners and, accordingly, an increasing utilization associated with an increasing inclusion of non-rheumatic diagnoses. The supplies of support devices (included in 55% of all prescriptions) and braces (included in 26% of all prescriptions) are described separately, since patient counseling and assistance--particularly in connection with support devices and aids for everyday life--are of great importance.