A recently completed multicentre study , RehabNytte, sheds light on the crucial role the patient plays in the rehabilitation process. The study shows how the patient's involvement affects functional improvements and goal achievement in the first year after rehabilitation.
It included 2113 participants, who had been referred for rehabilitation. It has provided valuable insight into how commitment on the part of the patient can lead to significant health benefits. 
Joachim Sagen is the study's first author.
Most participants (95%) were involved in setting their own rehabilitation goals, a practice that was linked to significant improvements in function over time. Those who actively participated in goal setting showed greater improvements compared to those who did not. Those who were involved in goal planning and the rehabilitation plan had a much greater chance of achieving their goals.
- The findings point to a clear need for the healthcare system to promote and integrate patient participation as a core component of rehabilitation services, explains Joachim Sagen, the study's first author. It also emphasizes the importance of facilitating an inclusive and participatory approach to rehabilitation, he says.
This shift towards a more patient-centred approach can largely contribute to better health outcomes and increased quality of life for those undergoing rehabilitation.
- Patients should not only be heard, but also actively participate in shaping and influencing their treatment plans in order to achieve the best possible result, he explains.
