Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 7, 2026

Pseudofracture: An Acute Peripheral Tissue Trauma Model
Published on: April 18, 2011
The Impact of Introducing a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Trauma Consultation Service to an Academic Level 1
Lawrence R Robinson1, Alan K H Tam, Shannon L MacDonald
1From the Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (LRR); Division of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (AKHT); Division of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (SLM); St. John's Rehabilitation Hospital - Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (EYH); Division of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation University of Toronto, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (DB); Institute of Medical Science University of Toronto, Sunnybrook Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (AA); Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (BGC); and Department of Surgery, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (HT).
Objective:
Previous retrospective studies suggest that early physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) consultation for trauma patients improves outcome and reduces acute care length of stay (LOS). There have not been controlled studies to evaluate this impact. This study assesses the impact of PM&R consultations on acute trauma patients.
Design:
This study compared measured outcomes before and after the introduction of a PM&R consultation service to the trauma program at a large academic hospital. The primary outcome measure was acute care LOS.
Results:
The 274 historical controls and 76 patients who received a PM&R consultation were not different in injury severity score, age, or sex. Length of stay was not different between the two groups. However, when early (≤8 days after injury) versus late (>8 days) consults were compared, the early group had a markedly lower LOS (12 vs. 30 days, P < 0.001). When adjusted for injury severity score, an early consult was associated with an 11.8-day lower LOS (P < 0.001). The early consult group also had fewer complications and less usage of benzodiazepines and antipsychotics.
Conclusions:
An acute care PM&R consultation of 8 days or less after admission is associated with a shorter acute care LOS, fewer complications, and less use of benzodiazepines and antipsychotics.
Related Concept Videos
Lattice Centering and Coordination Number
Types of Unit Cells
Imagine taking a large number of identical...
Center of Gravity
Center of Gravity
To determine its location, the principle of moments can be utilized by dividing the object into...
Impact of Groups on Groups
Physical and Chemical Properties of Matter
Introducing Social Perception

