Proprietary rehabilitation: Challenges and opportunities in the new millennium

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Dunn, Patrick

Affiliations: The University of Alabama, 324 Graves Hall, Box 870231, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0231, USA. Tel.: +1 205 348 7576; Fax: +1 205 348 7584; E-mail: pdunn@bamaed.ua.edu

Abstract: Proprietary rehabilitation has developed into a distinct professional sector with procedures, practices, and philosophy that differ from those in the public rehabilitation program. As the new millennium commences, proprietary rehabilitation will face a variety of challenges and opportunities that could affect the future of this sector of the rehabilitation profession. Among these issues are changes in occupational information upon which many proprietary rehabilitation practices are based; increased opportunities for early intervention and establishment of disability management programs within industry; adjustment to the movement to a managed health care system; and the necessity to demonstrate fiscal efficacy of rehabilitation services to workers with compensable injuries. This article discusses these issues and suggests some ways in which those involved in proprietary rehabilitation can properly position themselves to address and benefit from these challenges and opportunities.

Keywords: proprietary rehabilitation, disability management, occupational information, cost effectiveness

Journal: Work, vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 135-142, 2001