The effectiveness of collaborative models of care that facilitate rehabilitation from a traumatic injury: a systematic review

Trauma is the most frequent cause of significant functional impairment that leads to the deterioration in health and often delayed functional and psychosocial recovery. Fundamentally, rehabilitation of those with traumatic injuries surpasses the acute management extending into the reintegration of patients to home life and the wider community. Consequently, rehabilitation from a traumatic injury is a multidisciplinary process that incorporates the continuum of care across different settings and organizations. Planning and maintaining effective rehabilitation across organizations and sectors is a significant challenge. Unmet rehabilitation needs can prolong discharge, limit the patient’s activities, restrict participation, decrease quality of life and increase dependence on significant others.