ABSTRACT
In this study, to establish a system unique to our hospital, an awareness survey of physical therapists was conducted using a newly developed form to investigate the degree of anxiety about, and participation in supporting, pediatric patients with a developmental disorder, managing patients’ families, and interdisciplinary cooperative activities. The level of anxiety and the degree of participation were evaluated using a visual analog scale. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare cooperative activities with different professionals. The results showed that 20 (90.9%) of the physical therapists were anxious about supporting and handling pediatric patients with a developmental disorder and their families. No significant difference in the degree of anxiety was observed among different professionals, but the highest anxiety was observed when working in cooperation with physicians (Dr), followed by clinical psychotherapists (CP), nurses (Ns), medical social workers (MSW), occupational therapists (OT), and then speech therapists (ST). Physical therapists cooperated most frequently with Dr, followed by Ns, OT, MSW, ST, and then CP, with a significant difference between Dr and CP. The findings of this study, showing current awareness and challenges related to pediatric patients with a developmental disorder, provide information that is fundamental for the establishment of a system unique to our hospital.
ABSTRACT
Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the outcome-determining factors of stroke patients treated in our hospital which is the largest hospital in Ibaraki Prefecture with more than 1,000 beds.Methods: Ninety two patients (62 with cerebral infarction and 30 with hemorrhage) who were hospitalized for stroke for the first time between January and June in 2004, and underwent rehabilitation. The patients were classified into two groups according to their outcomes: Group 1 patients who were directly discharged to home and Group 2 patients who were transferred to other hospitals or nursing homes. We investigated the severity of paresis, high cortical functional disorder as complication, functional outcome, and family background of these patients, and analyzed the outcome-determining factors.Result: Among the patients, 65.2% were directly discharged to home. Their paresis was not severe in most cases, and 70% of them could walk independently (with or without canes and devices). There were no significant differences in age or family size between the two groups. Fifteen patients did not choose to go home, even though they were physically able to do so. They all had higher brain dysfunction or difficulty in accepting their disability. For such patients, the shortage of caregivers was not necessarily considered as a factor in their decision not to go home.Conclusion: The severity of paresis and walking ability (locomotion) are the key factors in determining of whether the patients can be discharged to home or not.