Rehabilitation is the process of helping a person reach his fullest physical, psychological, social, vocational, avocational, and educational potential consistent with his or her physiologic or anatomic impairment, environmental limitations, desires and life plans.

Patients, their families and the rehabilitation team consisting of the physiatrist, physical therapist, occupational therapist, nurse and other allied medical professionals work together to set realistic goals and to develop and carry out plans to obtain optimal function despite residual disability, even if the impairment is caused by a pathologic process that cannot be reversed.

Rehabilitation includes:

1. Prevention and Early Recognition
2. Inpatient Program
3. Outpatient Program
4. Extended Care Programs

Anticipated patient outcomes of such comprehensive and integrated rehabilitation program will increase independence, shorten length of hospital stay and improve quality of life.

The goal of the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Section is to help people regain control of their lives by restoring movement and function. The section specializes in the field of rehabilitation medicine, which focuses primarily in the attainment of the highest functional level of independence of the person within the limits of his disabilities.

The physiatrist:

1. Performs initial examination of the patient and formulates a diagnostic impression after obtaining the physiatric history and identifying other impairments or disabilities. This initial exam also involves functional evaluation of mobility skills, activities of daily living (ADL), household activities and community activities.
2. Forms a summary of rehabilitation problems, separated from the medical and surgical problems, where he would derive his management plan that includes treatment options for both the rehabilitation and medical or surgical problems.
3. Identifies the treatment goals which are based on a realistic appraisal of rehabilitation and medical status, attainable after completion of the treatment plan.
4. Does periodic re-evaluation of the patient's progress in the treatment program is also needed to allow the physiatrist to identify the problems that require a readjustment of the plan and goals, prescription of assistive devices, protheses, orthoses or corrective shoes, and/or referral to other medical specialists for co-management.

The staff provides:

1. Thorough evaluations, comprehensive diagnoses, and compassionate care by delivering comprehensive and individualized treatment
2. Personal and individualized care that considers the unique needs, abilities, and objectives of each patient

The staff also believes that patient education is an important part of delivering excellent medical care. This is why the staff does one-on-one discussions and use patient education materials such as brochures and handouts to educate patients about their medical condition and rehabilitative care. The staff endeavors to give accurate and understandable explanations and detailed answers to questions of patients and their families, to get their full cooperation in order to achieve optimum functional independence.