Can clinical practice guidelines increase the cost-effectiveness of geriatric rehabilitation?

The need for guidelines stems from the human and economic burdens of disabilities, from variations in practice patterns, and from controversy over the effectiveness of rehabilitation. This article describes the development of the stroke rehabilitation guidelines and highlights several recommendations that have implications for geriatric rehabilitation more generally. It then describes a pilot test of resulting review criteria and a study in progress that is examining the extent to which rehabilitation referrals after acute strokes follow guideline recommendations. Finally, it closes by underscoring several policy challenges that will be critical to achieving more cost-effective use of rehabilitation resources.