Real-Life Decision Making -- Solution
You create a rehabilitation plan based on this patient's circumstances.
The patient seems keen and may have the potential to benefit from a rehabilitation
program. The least you can do is investigate the case and consider what kind
of rehab plan may work for him.
This is the how Dr. Yao would go about it:
"In constructing the plan, I have to keep in mind the pressures on the
acute care system to discharge the patient, the availability of rehab resources,
the man's support system and patient safety concerns. I also need to estimate
his prognosis, both short term and long term, and consider how he may reintegrate
into his home, community and work environment.
"Medically, I need to determine if he is medically stable and how potential
complications can be prevented or treated. I rely not only on my own training
and expertise, but I also rely on the information provided by allied health
professionals. Ultimately, I will decide if the patient is a rehab candidate,
and what types of goals are realistic for him if he was to participate in
a rehab program."