Rehabilitation — complex values of a limitless team

Abstract

Rehabilitation is too complex a subject to define to the satisfaction of all parties. Descriptions include achievement of, or restoration to, optimum level of ability, taking into account the needs or wishes of individuals and the people nearest to them, whether friends, family or employees of a care service. As rehabilitation becomes a community-based rather than hospital-based activity, power levels change from the domain of the professional to that of the patient. The individual and his/her family carers will be relied upon to participate in the rehabilitation programme and will in return expect to be heard. Such changes will influence the decisions that are being made about rehabilitation plans. David Seedhouse (1988) states, ‘work for health is a moral endeavour’. Rehabilitation as part of healthcare then, has a moral aspect.