QUICK TAKE: Wait and Weaken: The Hidden Cost of Delayed Rehabilitation**

Children in the UK are waiting up to 18 months for physical and occupational therapies. 94% of therapists report that these delays impair physical and emotional development!

Meanwhile, American children with chronic pain are waiting 197 days on average for pain clinic referrals (Palermo et al., 2019). The delays are even worse for underinsured and uninsured patients.

Across populations, every extra day acute care patients wait for transfer to rehab increases length of stay by 25% and lessens functional gains and quality of life.

Rehab has always been the underappreciated stepchild of the medical profession. Our colleagues in acute care and social work need better appreciation of the profound impacts of rehabilitation therapies.

**Original post available on my LinkedIn account here