The Rehab Cycle

Assignment and Intervention

Once the targets were decided upon, the appropriate interventions were discussed, selected and assigned to the corresponding health professionals (as seen in detail in the Intervention table.

Table 2: Intervention table

For example, Peter’s compliance and his sense of both responsibility and purpose were matched to the psychologist, whose intervention included a realistic behavioral plan with attainable goals that incorporated progressive levels of difficulty from Peter’s point of view. At the end of each week, both Peter and the psychologist evaluated the extent to which the goals had been reached. As each of the three interventions (compliance, responsibility and purposefulness) were of particular importance — as well as cornerstones of all the goals — it was hoped that addressing these specifically would further support the other cycle goals as well as the program goal.

For all other targets, such as arm and hand use, the specific indicators and instruments used to monitor the interventions (for example, the time needed to play "a functional game") were selected by the respective health professionals.

Based on Peter’s development following surgery and his change of behavior, it was difficult to predict the value that should have been attained by the subsequent assessment. Some health professionals decided to make a prediction and adapt it during the intervention period if necessary.

In short, Peter found it difficult being a patient. His interest in the rehabilitation program was continually decreasing and he was oftentimes idle and bored, not to mention the fact that he felt frustrated and less-than-challenged.