Participant Selection for Inpatient Physical Rehabilitation

Intensive, inpatient physical rehabilitation in a dedicated unit can have a hugely positive influence on a person's life after a major injury or illness. This resource, however, is scarce and not every participant will benefit. Appropriate and fair participant selection for inpatient rehabilitation is therefore vital. This article considers challenges in these selection decisions, including the potential for inconsistency, bias and controversy, and the limits of evidence-based selection criteria. To provide best care in this setting, this article suggests that a clear process of decision-making is also important, alongside the use of objective selection criteria. One possible framework for this selection process is New Zealand's Health and Disability Commissioner Code of Patients' Rights, which is informative for clinicians and health authorities in rehabilitation selection in all jurisdictions, and which supports appropriate and fair participant selection.