EARLY REHABILITATION IN NEUROLOGICAL ACUT E-CARE DEPARTMENTS IN GERMANY - PART-II - PROFESSIONAL PROFILES AND DEFICITS IN PATIENT-MANAGEMENT

A survey among neurological directors, neuropsychologists, physiothera pists, occupational and speech therapists of neurological departments involved in acute care was conducted, focussing on the diagnostic and therapeutic profile of the nonmedical professionals and on deficits in patient care. From 96 out of 210 departments, questionnaires were rec eived from both the directors and the nonmedical professionals. Neurop sychologists were mainly concerned with diagnostic assessment, speech therapists with aphasia therapy, physiotherapists with the treatment o f central pareses and movement disorders and occupational therapists w ith training of motor functions and activities of daily living. Physio therapists and occupational therapists were involved to a lesser exten t with rehabilitation planning than was assumed by the neurologists in charge of the department. In respect of the neuropsychologists, the n eurological directors expected a decrease in legal assessments and spe cific neuropsychological therapy. For the speech therapists, they assu med an increase of the treatment of dysphagias. As far as the present situation is concerned neuropsychologists and speech therapists fore-s ee shortcomings in the available treatment whereas physiotherapists pr edict deficits in diagnostics. All nonmedical professional groups indi cate that the present workload results in deficits in interdisciplinar y interactions.