Postoperative physiotherapy for cardiac patients: two different organizational models

Abstract

Physiotherapists are involved in the postoperative recovery of cardiac patients. Physiotherapy is a discipline that is characterized by a one-on-one relationship between patient and professional, as well as by many relationships between each physiotherapist and other professionals. Ideally, this relational synergy contributes to the pursuit and attainment of valuable therapeutic goals. However, this becomes complicated when dealing with complex and challenging physical conditions, which often happens in critical cardiac settings. Given such a frame, public health institutions must choose the organizational model that can best facilitate the provision of optimal care. Models can be divided into a care setting model, in which a physiotherapist’s intervention is provided within a ward, or a pathway-centered model, in which professionals follow a patient’s care along its clear progression from hospital admission to discharge. One of the main determinants of the decision to choose a care setting or a pathway-centered model involves the volume of therapeutic services to be provided. Responding to the demand for health care is a difficult task that requires more than just effort: it requires in-depth knowledge of the patient, a broad perspective on and understanding of professional standards. The best patient care should be pursued by means of the coordination of the managerial decisions with the therapeutic actions, together with a continuous monitoring of the system.

Keywords:

• Cardiac surgical procedures
• Efficiency
• Organizational models
• Physiotherapy
• Postoperative care