Educational Media Reviews Online

“Rehab,” for whatever reasons, carries some less than pleasant connotations for people, and Short-term-Rehabilitation: Recovery in Progress demystifies the stereotypes and looks at the reality of a stay in a sub-acute care facility. Perhaps if my mother-in-law had seen this program she would have been less hesitant about going into a rehabilitation facility after her hip replacement surgery.

Three different cases are examined: Jay, 43, with disabling hip arthritis, undergoes hip replacement surgery; Noah, a young husband and father with broken arms and a leg after a construction accident; and Margie, 80, with multiple health problems, breaks a wrist and elbow after a fall. Their opinions about rehab are discussed, both the fears and misconceptions before their stay, and the positive outcomes they all share. This program stresses the team approach to any rehab facility stay, and the home-like atmosphere that most try to create, including interaction from family members. It doesn’t gloss over the fact that rehabilitation takes work, and patients who are motivated to do their therapy leave faster and healthier than those who don’t have a positive attitude and the drive to improve.

At about 26 minutes, this DVD is designed for patient education but will work well in the classroom for health sciences students, particularly nursing, physical therapy and occupational therapy classes since it shows several scenes of therapists working directly with patients. A panel consisting of the CEO of a large sub-acute care facility, a registered dietitian, and a registered nurse discuss the three cases briefly (8 min.), and it is included as a separate section on the DVD.