OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the prevalence of disabilities amongst adult hospitalized patients and to estimate their specific needs for rehabilitation support.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional study was conducted in a Moroccan university hospital. A total of 411 patients were included, and assessed for impairments, activity limitations and participation restrictions through medical examination and structured questionnaires. Patients’ clinical and assessment data were used to estimate the specific needs for rehabilitation professionals’ intervention, and the optimal mode of rehabilitation support.
RESULTS:
Patients’ mean age was 47.75 years (standard deviation 17.34). Prevalences of types of impairments were led by pain (41.6%), followed by sensory-motor deficits (21.9%) and limitations in joint range of motion (21.4%). Activity limitations were dominated by gait and balance disorders (25.3%). Participation restrictions in social and family life were reported by 118 patients; and in professional life by 44 patients. The most needed rehabilitation interventions were: physiotherapy (36.2%), occupational therapy (20.4%), and prosthetics (15.8%), and 24.5% patients were eligible for inpatient rehabilitation support.
CONCLUSION:
Disability is very common among hospitalized Moroccan patients, and there is a great need for inpatient rehabilitation support in Moroccan hospitals