Evidence-based position paper on Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine professional practice for persons with stroke. The European PRM position (UEMS PRM Section).

BACKGROUND

Stroke is a major cause of disability worldwide, with an expected rise of global burden in the next twenty years throughout Europe. This EBPP represents the official position of the European Union through the UEMS Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM) Section and designates the professional role of PRM physicians for people with stroke. The aim of this study is to improve PRM physicians' professional practice for persons with stroke in order to promote their functioning and enhance quality of life.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature including a ten-year period and a consensus procedure by means of a Delphi process has been performed involving the delegates of all European countries represented in the UEMS PRM Section.

RESULTS

The systematic literature review is reported together with 78 recommendations resulting from the Delphi procedure.

CONCLUSIONS

The professional role of PRM physicians for persons with stroke is to improve specialized rehabilitation services worldwide in different settings and to organize and manage the comprehensive rehabilitation programme for stroke survivors considering all impairments, comorbidities and complications, activity limitations and participation restrictions as well as personal and environmental factors.