RECENT ADVANCES IN REHABILITATION-MEDICINE

Rehabilitation is aimed at minimising the disadvantage experienced by an individual as a result of functional impairment or disability follo wing disease. It also addresses the impact of the social and environme ntal consequences of disease. Rehabilitation medicine is a new special ty although the concept of rehabilitation is not. Previously this work was undertaken within the fields of rheumatology, physical medicine, neurology, and orthopaedic, general medical and limb fitting services. In some patients, primarily those with neurological and musculoskelet al disease, the interaction of impairments with social and environment al dimensions can be complex. Effective management requires coordinati on between the patient, carers, and the medical, therapy, nursing, psy chology and social services. The management of patients with complex d isabilities is undergoing change with the introduction of new treatmen ts, awareness of needs of patients and carers, and new models of care. This conference, entitled 'Medical priorities in the rehabilitation o f adults with complex disabilities' given at the Royal College of Phys icians on 2 February 1995, reviewed these changes. It dealt with medic al priorities in rehabilitation for patients with specific diseases, a nd recent advances in areas pertinent to rehabilitation medicine.