Involvement of the patient and family are the key to a
successful rehabilitation program; they are treated as members of the
team.
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The physiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes
in physical medicine and rehabilitation. The physiatrist works with
patients' personal physicians to direct the treatment program, calling
in other medical specialists as needed.
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The admissions coordinator meets new patients,
orients them to the center, and acquaints them with the rest of the
staff.
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Medical social workers provide program coordination
for the patient, family, rehabilitation team, and community to ensure
good communication, program solving, advocacy, referral, and discharge
planning.
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Rehabilitation nurses have special training in the
direct care and education of people with multiple functional
difficulties.
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Physical therapists specialize in therapeutic
exercise, muscle re-education, gait instruction, and range of motion.
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Occupational therapists teach daily living skills,
evaluate hand and arm coordination and strength, and provide specially
adapted equipment as needed.
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Speech therapists analyze speech programs and assist
patients with speaking, reading and writing, and understanding the
speech of others, as well as helping with swallowing.
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Audiologists provide hearing tests and counsel
patients and families in hearing rehabilitation.
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Recreational therapists help patients apply the
skills they've learned to social and recreational activities of
interest to them and their families.
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The case management coordinator works with insurers
to help plan for rehabilitation needs within available benefits.
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Psychologists evaluate changes in patients' thinking
abilities, as well as checking for depression and adjustment issues,
and suggest strategies to help in recovery.
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Dietitians plan special diets and provide nutrition
information for patients and their families.
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Chaplains provide spiritual counseling and will
arrange for a rabbi, priest, or minister of the patient's own faith,
by request.
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Volunteers assist in many ways to make patients and
their families comfortable.