Rehabilitation with the "Ennepetal model"

The rehabilitation model which is described in this paper shows that optimization of the goals of rehabilitation such as improvement of vocational reintegration is possible by means of a flexible rehabilitation process and that this can also be achieved using existing resources. The patients are cared for according to their disabilities and functional disorders along what can be described as a rehabilitation course, ranging from in-patient and outpatient/semi in-patient treatment to outpatient heart groups. It was possible to achieve marked improvements in vocational reintegration over a 2-year period by an intervention program (intensified aftercare treatment, INA). After completion of follow-up rehabilitation, the number of generally disabled pensioners was substantially lower in the intervention program than in the case of patients in the control group. It has also been shown clearly that flexible rehabilitation models require co-operation on the part of all those involved in the rehabilitation process.