Patient characteristics and outcome in three different working models of home-based rehabilitation: a longitudinal observational study in primary health care in Norway

Background The organisation of health care services for older adults varies within and between countries. In Norway, primary care physiotherapy services offer home-based rehabilitation to older adults. The aim of this study was to compare patients’ characteristics and treatment outcomes in three working models of home-based rehabilitation. Methods Patients referred to home-based rehabilitation in a large municipality in Norway were invited to participate in this prospective observational study. The three working models, early intervention, reablement and regular physiotherapy, were organised according to the patients’ function and degree of independence. The older adults (≥ 65 years) were allocated to the different models by either a multidisciplinary group of health care personnel or by direct referral. Patients’ demographic and clinical characteristics, including physical function (Patient-specific functional scale, PSFS), physical performance (Short Physical Performance Battery, SPPB) and health-related quality of life (EQ-5D) were registered at baseline and follow-up (maximum 6 months after baseline). One-way ANOVA was used to analyse group differences in clinical characteristics and paired t-tests to analyse changes from baseline to follow-up. Results In total, 603 and 402 patients (median (interquartile range) age: 84 (77–88) years) completed baseline and follow-up assessments, respectively. Patients in all three working models had an increased risk for functional decline. Patients receiving early intervention (n = 62) had significantly (p