A STUDY OF THE INTEGRATION OF SERVICES OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICAL DEPARTMENTS AND A REHABILITATION CENTER. FINAL REPORT.

THIS IS A DEMONSTRATION PROJECT OF COOPERATION BETWEEN A REHABILITATION CENTER AND THREE LARGE INDUSTRIAL COMPANIES. OVER A 3-YEAR PERIOD, 56 WORKERS WHO HAD BEEN INJURED ON THE JOB AND HOSPITALIZED WERE ADMITTED TO THE REHABILITATION CENTER. OF THE 50 WORKERS STUDIED, THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY IN THE CENTER WAS 36 DAYS. A FOLLOWUP STUDY, CONDUCTED 3 MONTHS AFTER DISCHARGE, SHOWED 45 OF THE 50 WORKERS WERE EMPLOYED, AND 50 PERCENT SAID THEY FELT GREATLY IMPROVED. ATTEMPTS ARE MADE IN THE REPORT TO ANALYZE THE REASONS THAT OTHERS WERE LESS SATISFIED WITH THE TREATMENT. OF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE PROJECT WAS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF COOPERATIVE WORKING PROCEDURES WITH THE INDUSTRIAL-MEDICAL DEPARTMENTS. THE VARIOUS FACTORS INVOLVED IN THIS ARE DISCUSSED. THE PROJECT STAFF CONCLUDES THAT SUCH COOPERATION IMPROVES THE REHABILITATION OF INJURED WORKERS. ONE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS IS THAT A FUTURE PROJECT ATTEMPT TO MEASURE ACTUAL MEDICAL COSTS OF SUCH REHABILITATION PROGRAMS. (NS)