Quality Indicators for Rehabilitation Care Among Patients with Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases: A Multicenter Study, Cross sectional study.

Abstract

Abstract Objective Rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) are among the most common disorders in the general population. Rehabilitation quality indicators (QIs) are one tool for assessing the quality and efficiency of healthcare resources. The aim of this study was to utilize one of the validated QIs to assess the current quality of rehabilitation services for RMDs in Egypt and Saudia Arabia. Materials and Methods A cross-sectional survey study, in which rehabilitation unit managers answered 19 structure questions at the start of the test period using a web-based, structured questionnaire. While one to two months after completing a rehabilitation program, the patient answered 14 written questions based on 11 process and 3 outcome quality indicators. Results 36 Egyptian and 43 Saudi healthcare workers, as well as 350 Egyptian and 331 Saudi patients, completed the questionnaires. In Egypt and Saudi Arabia, more than 60% of rehabilitation units and service users agreed on the majority of quality indicator domains, including patient assessment and rehabilitation outcomes. The lowest pass rates for a rehabilitation unit structure QIs were the planning of two meetings between the patient and the team, meeting with next of kin, and access to meetings with some professionals, which also reflected the lowest quality domains observed by the service user in the process as regards patient participation in the rehabilitation process and planning of the period after rehabilitation. Conclusion The quality of RMDs rehabilitation programs varies widely, both nationally and across countries. Quality improvement in specific aspects of RMD rehabilitation care is required.