MODELOS: LA PRÁCTICA DESDE LA REHABILITACIÓN

Outpatient rehabilitation care in the Foral Community of Navarre arose from the belief that most locomotor system processes can be managed by the speciality of rehabilitation on an outpatient basis without compromising quality. This article aims primarily to describe the organizational model of outpatient rehabilitation in Navarre. Secondary aims are to present the organization and functioning of peripheral rehabilitation units through a description of their clinical activity, carried out in several units. We review the standards of rehabilitation care related to this topic. A literature search was performed in PubMed, and current regulations, communications in books of abstracts of the congresses of the Spanish Society of Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, reports of annual activity of hospitals in Navarre, and welfare programs related to outpatient rehabilitation were reviewed. In areas with the highest population density, this model places peripheral rehabilitation units in the outpatient hospital setting or in specialized centers. In the least populated regions, geographically remote from the nearest hospital, these units are situated in health centers, and are strategically located to guarantee good geographical accessibility. The main priorities are equity and high scientifi c-technical quality. The Plan for Primary-Specialized Care Coordination was implemented in 2000 and the spinal unit in 2009. The organizational model of outpatient rehabilitation in Navarre is coordinated with primary care and is aimed mainly at the care of locomotor processes. © 2011 Elsevier Espana, S.L. and SERMEF. All rights reserved.