Disability and rehabilitation
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Indigenous peoples often have the worst health status in comparison to non-indigenous people in their own nations; urgent action to address the health inequities for indigenous people is required. The role of rehabilitation in addressing health and disability inequities is particularly important due to the health need of indigenous peoples; the unequal distribution of health determinants; and disparities in access to, quality of care through and outcomes following rehabilitation. This article will present a perspective for Māori, the indigenous peoples of New Zealand, on a framework for improving rehabilitation services for Māori and ultimately their health and wellbeing.
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In Haiti, there are scarce resources available for physical rehabilitation. Healing Hands for Haiti International Foundation has established a rehabilitation aide programme as a means of providing rehabilitation services. This article illustrates some of the successes, challenges, and dilemmas that arise in the provision of such an education. ⋯ The most common difficulties and dilemmas in providing a rehabilitation aide programme were: lack of resources including job opportunities for graduates, and lack of proper support available from supervising healthcare providers. Curricula for similar programs must be culturally sensitive, help create employment opportunities, and provide continuing educational opportunities for their graduates.
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Little is known about how spouses cope with their needs as a result of their partner's aphasia. This study described spouses' needs and identified the barriers and facilitators to satisfying them. ⋯ Results confirm the long-term needs of spouses in adjusting to the aphasia of their partner, as well as the limited services available to them. Many of the needs reflected spouses' concerns about their partner, while others were a consequence of their caregiving role as well as the unavailability of support. Spouses of people with aphasia should have access to support during and after rehabilitation.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Predictors of functional ambulation and patient perception following total knee replacement and short-term rehabilitation.
To investigate whether measured and patient-perceived function 6 months after total knee replacement (TKR) can be predicted from factors measured during post-operative rehabilitation. ⋯ Functional status at 2 weeks post-surgery gives few indicators of ultimate status, possibly because of pain, joint swelling and other immediate post-operative factors. However, measurements taken at 8 weeks, following an outpatient-based exercise programme, provides a reasonable estimate of performance and response 26 weeks after surgery. Patient and clinician expectations for longer-term recovery could be informed by these findings.
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Multicenter Study
A prospective study of cognitive behavioural factors as predictors of pain, disability and quality of life one year after lumbar disc surgery.
The primary aim of this study was to analyse the predictive value of cognitive and behavioural factors, in relation to pain, disability and quality of life (QoL) one year after lumbar disc surgery. ⋯ Eliciting patients' expectations on work return after surgery could contribute to early identification of those who run the risk of developing long-term disability and sick-leave.