The War on COVID-19 Pandemic: Role of Rehabilitation Professionals and Hospitals.

The global outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 has created an unprecedented challenge to the society. Currently, the United States stands as the most affected country, and the entire healthcare system is affected, from emergency department, intensive care unit, postacute care, outpatient, to home care. Considering the debility, neurological, pulmonary, neuromuscular, and cognitive complications, rehabilitation professionals can play an important role in the recovery process for individuals with coronavirus disease 2019. Clinicians across the nation's rehabilitation system have already begun working to initiate intensive care unit-based rehabilitation care and develop programs, settings, and specialized care to meet the short- and long-term needs of these individuals. We describe the anticipated rehabilitation demands and the strategies to meet the needs of this population. The complications from coronavirus disease 2019 can be reduced by (1) delivering interdisciplinary rehabilitation that is initiated early and continued throughout the acute hospital stay, (2) providing patient/family education for self-care after discharge from inpatient rehabilitation at either acute or subacute settings, and (3) continuing rehabilitation care in the outpatient setting and at home through ongoing therapy either in-person or via telehealth.

Social participation in head and neck cancer survivors with swallowing disorder: World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 study.

BACKGROUND: Social function and quality of life were negatively impacted by the sequelae of treatment for the disease in the head and neck cancer survivor with swallowing disorder. METHOD: Data from a total of 1023 survivors between July 2012 and November 2017 were collected from the Taiwan Data Bank of Persons with Disability. Nonparametric rank F test was used to analyze the influence of different variables on social participation. RESULTS: (a) All WHODAS (World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule) 2.0 scores revealed significantly increased difficulty when swallowing impairment increased (P < .001). (b) Unemployment, institutionalization, severity of swallowing impairment, cancer sites, and WHODAS 2.0 score of domains 1 to 4 were negatively related to social participation, while living in rural area is related to increased social participation. CONCLUSIONS: Social participation was negatively affected by many variables in this population. Among these variables, cancer sites and WHODAS 2.0 score of domains 1 to 4 were the strongest factors.

Hearing and Balance Disorders in the State of Hawai'i: Demographics and Demand for Services.

Hearing and balance disorders affect people of all ages. Among children, hearing loss affects speech and language development, academic performance, and psychosocial development. Hearing loss in adults negatively impacts work productivity, cognitive function, and psychosocial status. Prevalence of hearing loss in children in Hawai'i is higher than the national average. Research indicates that hearing loss is a prevalent condition among veterans and advanced age adults. This is of particular concern in Hawai'i as the state is home to many military training facilities and has a large elderly population. In contrast to the higher than average prevalence of hearing loss in Hawai'i, there is a relatively small number of practicing audiologists in the state. Audiologists are independent doctoral level professionals responsible for the assessment and non-medical management of hearing impairment, vestibular disorders, auditory processing disorder, auditory neuropathy, tinnitus, and related disorders. Currently, there is no formal audiology training program in Hawai'i to meet the needs for current or future hearing health professionals. The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa is developing a proposal for a Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) program to provide a comprehensive doctoral-level audiology curriculum and clinical training in order to graduate audiologists with knowledge and skills needed to serve people with hearing and balance disorders in Hawai'i. This review article describes the current status of hearing and balance disorders and services in Hawai'i and stresses the importance of early identification and intervention in remediating their effects in all ages, with a focus on the need for expanding hearing health services in Hawai'i.

The Effect of Elective Rotations on the Self-assessment Examination Results of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residents: Implications for Minimizing Educational Resource Disparities in Taiwan.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of the study were (1) to assess whether a knowledge disparity existed between physical medicine and rehabilitation residents from community hospitals versus those from medical centers, before the introduction of short-term elective training at the end of 2008 and (2), if such disparity existed, to determine whether 1-month short-term elective training was associated with minimizing such disparity, as reflected in the self-assessment examination scores. DESIGN: Self-assessment examination scores from 2007-2016 were analyzed in each of the following three topics: (a) cardiac rehabilitation, (b) pulmonary rehabilitation, and (c) orthotics. Student's t tests were used to identify score discrepancies between both groups. RESULTS: (1) At baseline (2007-2008), trainees from community hospitals scored lower in all three topics (P < 0.05). (2) After the short-term elective training, follow-up comparisons showed no differences in either cardiac or pulmonary rehabilitation for 2009-2016. Regarding orthotics, trainees from both groups showed no significant differences for 2009-2010 and 2011-2012. Interestingly, for 2013-2014 and 2015-2016, trainees from medical centers scored higher again, but only in orthotics. CONCLUSIONS: (1) In 2007-2008, a knowledge disparity existed between physical medicine and rehabilitation residents from community hospitals and medical centers in Taiwan. (2) Short-term elective training was associated with minimizing such disparity from 2009-2016, especially in cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation.

The Development and Evolution of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in Taiwan from 1958 to 2016.

The field of physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) began its development in Taiwan since 1958, and has gradually evolved into a profession that provides a diversity of clinical services and educational activities. The objectives of this brief report were to (1) review its background and milestones in the past 6 decades, (2) describe the current role and function of its Academy of PM&R, (3) present the content and format of its board certification process, focusing on (a) residency training requirements, (b) self-assessment examination, board certification process, and (c) maintenance of certification through continued education. Some challenges and opportunities are also discussed toward the end of this article. It is hoped that this report may serve as a reference material for other countries as they develop or improve their PM&R residency programs.

Screening for mild traumatic brain injury in OEF-OIF deployed US military: an empirical assessment of VHA's experience.

BACKGROUND: VHA screens for traumatic brain injury (TBI) among patients formerly deployed to Afghanistan or Iraq, referring those who screen positive for a Comprehensive TBI Evaluation (CTBIE). METHODS: To assess the programme, rates were calculated of positive screens for potential TBI in the population of patients screened in VHA between October 2007 through March 2009. Rates were derived of TBI confirmed by comprehensive evaluations from October 2008 through July 2009. Patient characteristics were obtained from Department of Defense and VHA administrative data. RESULTS: In the study population, 21.6% screened positive for potential TBI and 54.6% of these had electronic records of a CTBIE. Of those with CTBIE records, evaluators confirmed TBI in 57.7%, yielding a best estimate that 6.8% of all those screened were confirmed to have TBI. Three quarters of all screened patients and virtually all those evaluated (whether TBI was confirmed or not) had VHA care the following year. CONCLUSIONS: VHA's TBI screening process is inclusive and has utility in referring patients with current symptoms to appropriate care. More than 90% of those evaluated received further VHA care and confirmatory evaluations were associated with significantly higher average utilization. Generalizability is limited to those who seek VHA healthcare.

Common data elements for traumatic brain injury: recommendations from the interagency working group on demographics and clinical assessment.

Comparing results across studies in traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been difficult because of the variability in data coding, definitions, and collection procedures. The global aim of the Working Group on Demographics and Clinical Assessment was to develop recommendations on the coding of clinical and demographic variables for TBI studies applicable across the broad spectrum of TBI, and to classify these as core, supplemental, or emerging. The process was consensus driven, with input from experts over a broad range of disciplines. Special consideration was given to military and pediatric TBI. Categorizing clinical elements as core versus supplemental proved difficult, given the great variation in types of studies and their interests. The data elements are contained in modules, which are grouped together in categories. Three levels of detail for coding data elements were developed: basic, intermediate, and advanced, with the greatest level of detail in the advanced version. In every case, the more detailed coding can be collapsed into the basic version. Templates were produced to summarize coding formats, motivation of choices, and recommendations for procedures. Work is ongoing to include more international participation and to provide an electronic data entry format with pull-down menus and automated data checks. This proposed standardization will facilitate comparison of research findings across studies and encourage high-quality meta-analysis of individual patient data.