UW Rehabilitation – Your Rehab Team
As a result of illness or injury, you or a loved one may be referred to a Rehabilitation Team to receive care. A multidisciplinary team of doctors, therapists, prosthetists-orthotists and other healthcare professionals will work with you on a plan specifically designed to focus on your rehabilitation needs. Descriptions of these professionals are listed below.
- The Rehabilitation Medicine Physician, called a physiatrist, has specialized in physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM & R) and is responsible for medical issues and the overall rehabilitation program.
- The Rehabilitation Nurse is responsible for daily care, education, and coordination of treatment and training.
- The Prosthetist-Orthotist provides education about limb loss resources and residual limb care and manages comprehensive orthotic and/or prosthetic patient care.
- The Prosthetic-Orthotic Technician fabricates orthoses and prostheses.
- The Physical Therapist works to improve the patient’s strength, flexibility, endurance, coordination, and balance with activities such as moving in bed, using a wheelchair, and walking.
- The Occupational Therapist provides training in self-care, upper body/hand function, endurance, and independent living skills such as eating, bathing, dressing, using a computer and utilizing any special devices needed to return to school or work.
- The Speech Pathologist assists patients who have communication or language problems and/or a speech impairment. They may work with patients to improve memory, reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills.
- The Rehabilitation Counselor helps people through the process of returning to a job, school, or other career alternative.
- The Psychologist assists people and their families with understanding the changes that can accompany disability or illness. A specialized psychologist, the Neuropsychologist provides identification and assessment of cognitive issues.
- The Social Worker helps to coordinate a safe and comprehensive discharge plan. They will also help to connect you with resources in the community.
- The Recreation therapist works with patients and families to apply skills the patient is learning during recovery to the community-based setting as well as exploring leisure interests.
- The Care Manager works closely with the team to support transition of care as well as coordination of needs to support a successful discharge.