Current status of rehabilitation activity and the new health care reform in Norway

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyse the current activities of Norwegian ambulatory rehabilitation teams at a time when the field of rehabilitation is set for major changes with the recent introduction of the new pro-rehabilitation Coordination Reform. The content of the all logged consultations of four ambulatory teams belonging to one of the four regional health authorities was analysed in terms of municipality population size and, where possible, the agedistribution of the patients. Consultations were coded into one of four main codes, i.e. investigation and diagnostics; treatment and practical training; consultation, collaboration and training; and auxiliary measures. A total of 2992 consultations were registered for period 2009Á2012, with the far majority of consultations involving patients aged 567 years, and the elderly underrepresented in especially the smaller municipalities. Analysis showed differential rehabilitation activity towards the elderly in the two rehabilitation teams which registered the far majority of consultations, which were also concentrated in only three of the 18 sub-codes. Provision of rehabilitation seems to lack an overall coordinating strategy. The kind and level of rehabilitation any given elderly person is entitled to, by and large, depends on the place of residence of the patient.

Norwegian rehabilitation policies and the coordination reform’s effect: a critical discourse analysis

“…The reform aims to impose change in order to 'orient all systems and services towards assisting the individual with coping with life, or restoring normal functioning' (Reform Paper,14). As this aim clearly resonates with the main principles of rehabilitation, it is acknowledged that this reform will increase the focus on rehabilitation (Tingvoll and McClusky 2015).…”

“…47 ( -2009), hereafter the Reform Paper. Sandvin (2012; see also Tingvoll and McClusky 2015) describes them as significantly influential papers given their focus on increasing the priority assigned to rehabilitation means in health services. We analyse whether these White Papers reflect medical or social-political conceptual models in their representations of rehabilitation.…”