Rehabilitation Medicine

Question 1

What multidisciplinary teams are part of the Rehabilitation Medicine Department?

Answer 1

Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech Language Pathology

Question 2

List some examples of what the Physical Therapy team does

Answer 2

1. Identify and manage movement dysfunction by improving muscle strength, and physical abilities.
2. Restore, maintain and promote optimal wellness and fitness.
3. Make recommendations and offer training in the use of equipment that assists in replacing lost function or promotes achievement of independent movement.
4. Provides guidance to family members in safe and effective methods of caring for the patient

Question 3

List some examples of what the Occupational Therapy team does

Answer 3

1. Gives people the “skills for the job of living”
2. Customized treatment programs aimed at improving abilities to carry out the activities of daily living.
3. Assessment and treatment necessary to enhance normal development and performance and/or to regain function
4. Recommendations and training in the use of equipment that assists in replacing lost function
5. Recommendations regarding adaptation of the home environment
6. Guidance to family members and care givers

Question 4

List some examples of what the Speech Language Pathology team does.

Answer 4

1. Therapy for patients with speech/language impairment as a result of a stroke, dementia, and various neurological disorders.
2. Cognitive-linguistic deficits following head injury
3. Post-op counseling for laryngectomized patients
4. Voice disorders resulting from disease or misuse of the voice
5. Speech disorders
6. Swallowing disorders

Question 5

Why is the Rehabilitation Medicine Department used (PT, OT, SLP)?

Answer 5

To improve and restore function, and/or increase independence to the patient.

Question 6

Who does the swallowing assessments? Where is the swallowing assessment done? Who else may do the swallowing assessment?

Answer 6

Speech Language Pathologist. Done at bedside. In smaller hospitals that may not have a SLP, the OT or the Dietician may also do the swallowing assessment.

Question 7

List some common signs of swallowing difficulties/disphagia:

Answer 7

1. Coughing during eating or drinking
2. A wet/gurgly voice during or after eating
3. A tendency to hold food or drink in the mouth for prolonged periods of time
4. Difficulty eating hard, chewy or crumbly foods
5. Shortness of breath induced by eating or drinking
6. A long time taken to eat or drink, ex. 45min to 1hr
7. Loss of weight because of a prolonged eating time, poor appetite or avoidance of certain foods
8. Recurrent chest infections or pneumonia requiring hospitalization
9. Drooling of saliva or inability to swallow ones own secretions
10. Refusal to eat