BACKGROUND: Multiprofessional teamwork in physical and rehabilitation medicine (PRM)
allows achieving patient-centered goals in accordance with the assumptions of the
bio-psycho-social model of functioning. Team composition and methods of collaboration
depend of the specificity of goals to be achieved, as well local contextual factors.
International comparative studies on rehabilitation teamwork are lacking. despite
data on how teams differ between countries are crucial for the process of harmonization
of PRM practice across Europe.AIM: To compare models of collaboration within rehabilitation
teams in Central Europe.DESIGN: A cross-sectional explorative study.SETTING: The data
were collected in Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia
between February and June 2018.POPULATION: PRM physicians.METHODS: An anonymous questionnaire
inquiring of rehabilitation teamwork details was spread through national PRM societies,
and other organizations associating PRM physicians. An ordered logit regression was
applied to analyze the results.RESULTS: Responses were obtained from 455 respondents.
Significant differences between the studied countries in the composition of rehabilitation
teams and frequencies of team meetings were detected. In the analyzed population of
PRM physicians, we found positive associations between the chance of participation
in team meetings and working in a hospital. the amount of time devoted to PRM practice,
and older age. The chance for patients and caregivers to participate in rehabilitation
team meetings was correlated with PRM physician's hospital practice, activity as a
PRM teacher, older age and devoting more time to PRM practice. Country specificities
of rehabilitation team content were analyzed with regards to local economic, legal,
and historical backgrounds, and availability of human resources. Underrepresentation
of key professionals (e.g. occupational therapists, orthotistsipmsthetists), inadequate
distribution of professionals in healthcare and as well as outdated educational systems
in some countries may affect the efficacy of the comprehensive care in rehabilitation.CONCLUSIONS:
Central European countries differ in rehabilitation teamwork with regard to the contribution
of professionals, meeting frequencies, and participation of patients and caregivers.
Well-designed studies on teamwork models delineating ways to improve teamwork efficacy
are in demand.CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: Between-country diversity of rehabilitation
team content should be considered while planning activities aimed at European harmonization
of PRM practice.
