[Trends in Medical Rehabilitation : Supply Structure and Target Groups]

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Health Policy

Background:

• Medical rehabilitation in Germany originated with the Bismarck Legislation.
• Continuous evolution has characterized German rehabilitation since its inception.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the historical development of medical rehabilitation in Germany.
• To discuss significant quantitative and qualitative changes in rehabilitation services.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of rehabilitation utilization data.
• Examination of changes in disease spectrum and rehabilitation settings.
• Review of evolving rehabilitative concepts and after-care models.

Main Results:

• Quantitative shifts include changes in utilization, disease spectrum, setting, and follow-up care.
• Qualitative changes involve addressing multiple morbidities, work-related issues, and flexible rehabilitation forms.
• New developments include prevention, international rehabilitation, mobile services, and digital after-care.

Conclusions:

• German medical rehabilitation has undergone substantial quantitative and qualitative transformations.
• Future developments are anticipated in legislation, access, budgeting, and workplace collaboration.