A concept of outpatient clinics for neuro-rehabilitation in Vienna.

On the basis of hospital-based prevalence of stroke (219 per 100,000, ICD-9/VESKA-Codes: 430 - 434) in Vienna/Austria the demand for outpatient clinics for neuro-rehabilitation is calculated. The results show that for proper provision of physiotherapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy, there is a need for 13 - 27 outpatient clinics (according to their projected size and number of staff) in Vienna. The best combination of therapists in these centers appears to be 4 physiotherapists and 3 occupational therapists, supported by 2 speech therapists in 6 clinics. It is proposed to install outpatient clinics for neuro-rehabilitation at the 9 already existing neurological clinics/wards in Vienna, and to start a pilot project of an additional outpatient clinic for neuro-rehabilitation in a district of the city without a neurological clinic/ward. Furthermore, it will be necessary to increase the capacity of training facilities for therapists to meet the higher demand for personnel in the future.