Quality assurance and guidelines in rehabilitation for musculoskeletal diseases

Diseases of the musculoskeletal system are among the most common and most costly diseases in Germany. They are also associated with a considerable burden for those affected. As a result these disorders also dominate the utilization statistics with respect to medical rehabilitation measures paid for by the statutory pension insurance. In the last 10 years, quality assurance programs have been developed for rehabilitation - initiated and financed by the rehabilitation sponsors - that are characterized by a comprehensive, perspective, pronounced scientific basis, region-wide implementation, and strong patient orientation. The development of guidelines for rehabilitation began later than for acute medicine. In addition to the formulation of guidelines for rehabilitation by medical organizations and professional associations, the German pension insurance has developed so-called process guidelines containing framework requirements for the treatment of defined indication groups rather than support for decision-making in the rehabilitation of individual patients. By planned control of adherence to the process guidelines in the quality assurance programs of the pension insurers prompt implementation of the guidelines can be anticipated.