ABSTRACT
Background Patients discharged from general hospitals with a potentially disabling condition can benefit in their recovery with the aid of physical medicine and rehabilitation services. Aim To determine the proportion of patients discharged from a general hospital with a potentially disabling condition, who were derived to physiatry for rehabilitation. Material and Methods Review of the discharge database of a general hospital, identifying all discharges with a potentially disabling condition, and those who were effectively derived for rehabilitation. Results Only 7% of patients with a potentially disabling condition were effectively evaluated by Physiatry. Among these patients, 20% had neurological diseases and 19% had an amputation. Those attended by physiatry had a higher proportion of multidisciplinary care by the rehabilitation team. Conclusions A low proportion of patients discharged with a potentially disabling conditions are referred for an adequate rehabilitation therapy.