ABSTRACT
Clinical practice guidelines are systematically developed documents aiming at guiding decisions in specific areas of health care. Therefore, incorporating rehabilitation in guidelines adressing chronic diseases is of major importance. As information regarding consideration of rehabilitation in guidelines is lacking, the intention of our study was to analyse to what degree rehabilitation experts participated in guideline development and whether guidelines for chronic diseases include relevant information and recommendations concerning rehabilitation.In order to answer these questions we investigated 97 guidelines of high class quality, registered by the German Association of the Scientific Medical Professional Societies (AWMF). 36 out of these guidelines addressed chronic health conditions in which rehabilitation may be of relevance. Guidelines identified were analysed using a set of defined criteria.In 11 out of the 36 guidelines one or more medical rehabilitation societies participated in the development process, 17 include a chapter on rehabilitation issues, and 20 information concerning indication for rehabilitation processes. 24 guidelines consider rehabilitation in their recommendations.There is substantial variance concerning inclusion of rehabilitation in German guidelines on chronic diseases. Rehabilitation societies are encouraged to strive for stronger integration of rehabilitation into guidelines of other societies.
