The Rehab Cycle

Assessment

The rehabilitative treatment at the Early Rehabilitation Unit began with the health care team’s assessment of both the patient’s perspective and the health professionals’ perspective and was defined to last for four weeks.

As with each Rehab Cycle, these perspectives were based on Mr. Seiler’s body functions and structures, activities, participation and environmental and personal factors. The information and data obtained here would inform the next phases of the cycle.

Important elements of Mr. Seiler’s perspective included aspects of body functions, which focused on the pain in his hands and activities/participation, which centered on aspects of mobility and independence.

Figure 3: ICF Assessment Sheet

The combination of reduced muscle power and extreme pain in the hands limited Mr. Seiler in performing different tasks with his hands, e.g. to manipulate objects and to do self-care activities like washing and dressing himself. In these activities he was dependent to the nurses at the time of assessment. Regarding the reduced muscle power in the lower extremity he was not able to climb stairs. Walking on flat surfaces was associated with a feeling of weakness and insecurity. The result of the health professionals’ assessment confirmed this subjective perspective, since impaired gait patterns and the lack of coordination functions increased the risk for falls. Consequently Mr. Seiler was not allowed to walk on his own at this point in time.

Additionally, they found other relevant aspects and elements that could be addressed in the Rehab Cycle. These are outlined in detail in the ICF Assessment Sheet seen in Figure 3.  Many center on body and activity functionality, but also take note of Mr. Seiler’s strong will and disciplined personality, an important factor in moving forward with his rehabilitation.