Angela C Roberts1, Miriam R Rafferty2, Samuel S Wu3, Guanhuong Miao3, Fernando Cubillos4, Tanya Simuni5. 1. Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, 2240 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL, 60025, USA. Electronic address: angela.roberts@northwestern.edu. 2. Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Northwestern University Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, 355 E Erie St. 19th Floor, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA. Electronic address: mrafferty@sralab.org. 3. Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health & Health Professions College of Medicine, University of Florida, 2004 Mowry Rd P.O. Box 117450, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA. 4. Parkinson's Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street Ste 800, Miami, FL, 33131, USA. 5. Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center, Room 1900, NMH/259 E Erie, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Rehabilitation therapies are critical for optimizing quality-of-life and daily functions for individuals living with Parkinson's disease (PD). Thus, understanding the patterns of and under what conditions physicians make rehabilitation referrals is important for optimizing care. METHOD: We analyzed data from 5020 participants (4 countries) collected from 1/3/2016 to 4/20/2018 as part of the Parkinson's Foundation Quality Improvement Initiative (PF QII). Data were analyzed for single discipline and multidiscipline referrals to speech language pathology (SLP), physical therapy (PT), and occupational therapy (OT). Group comparisons (referred vs. not-referred) and regression procedures were implemented to determine demographic and clinical variables that were associated with an increased likelihood of rehabilitation referral. RESULTS: 35.3% of participants were referred to rehabilitation services. Of these, 25.1% received a multidiscipline referral. There was a statistically significant effect of disease stage on both single discipline (χ2(2) = 45.1, p < 0.0001) and multidiscipline (χ2(2) = 74.2, p < 0.0001) referrals, with higher rates in later stages. Referred vs. not-referred participants differed significantly on a number of variables; however, only falls in the 6-months prior, advanced- and moderate-stage disease, older age, hospital admissions, and higher caregiver burden were associated with an increased likelihood of rehabilitation referral (adjusted odds ratios ≥ 1, Range = 1.08 to 1.62). CONCLUSIONS: Despite evidence supporting multidiscipline and proactive rehabilitation in PD, the majority of referrals were made to a single service and may be reactions to falls or advancing disease. Data suggest there may be missed opportunities for optimizing care through proactive rehabilitation interventions.
INTRODUCTION: Rehabilitation therapies are critical for optimizing quality-of-life and daily functions for individuals living with Parkinson's disease (PD). Thus, understanding the patterns of and under what conditions physicians make rehabilitation referrals is important for optimizing care. METHOD: We analyzed data from 5020 participants (4 countries) collected from 1/3/2016 to 4/20/2018 as part of the Parkinson's Foundation Quality Improvement Initiative (PF QII). Data were analyzed for single discipline and multidiscipline referrals to speech language pathology (SLP), physical therapy (PT), and occupational therapy (OT). Group comparisons (referred vs. not-referred) and regression procedures were implemented to determine demographic and clinical variables that were associated with an increased likelihood of rehabilitation referral. RESULTS: 35.3% of participants were referred to rehabilitation services. Of these, 25.1% received a multidiscipline referral. There was a statistically significant effect of disease stage on both single discipline (χ2(2) = 45.1, p < 0.0001) and multidiscipline (χ2(2) = 74.2, p < 0.0001) referrals, with higher rates in later stages. Referred vs. not-referred participants differed significantly on a number of variables; however, only falls in the 6-months prior, advanced- and moderate-stage disease, older age, hospital admissions, and higher caregiver burden were associated with an increased likelihood of rehabilitation referral (adjusted odds ratios ≥ 1, Range = 1.08 to 1.62). CONCLUSIONS: Despite evidence supporting multidiscipline and proactive rehabilitation in PD, the majority of referrals were made to a single service and may be reactions to falls or advancing disease. Data suggest there may be missed opportunities for optimizing care through proactive rehabilitation interventions.