[Future Trends in Medical Rehabilitation in the Context of Multimorbidity - Part I: Definition of Terms, Issues and Challenges].

BACKGROUND

Rehabilitative health care is increasingly focusing its attention on multimorbid people with 2 and more coexistent chronic diseases of sociomedical relevance.

METHODS

After defining the term "multimorbidity" in the context of rehabilitative health care, an exploratory overview of the prevalence and clinical implication of this condition as reported in the literature was drafted. Based on a case history, special attention was paid to general as well as special challenges regarding design, configuration and supply of sociomedical rehabilitative care. Consensus was achieved with the Health Advisory Board of the German Federal Rehabilitation Council.

RESULTS

The proposed actions necessary for the healthcare of persons with multimorbidity include specific function-oriented individual assessment of needs via the distinctive allocation, selection and performance of rehabilitative procedures as well as post-rehabilitative care until the patient's reintegration into his social environment.