[Dermatologic-psychosomatic rehabilitation]

[Medical rehabilitation in dermatology : Goals, program content, and application process]

BACKGROUND

Medical rehabilitation plays an important role in the management of patients with chronic dermatoses and dermato-oncological diseases.

OBJECTIVES

Which dermatological indications qualify for a medical rehabilitation? What forms need to be completed for a successful application? Which treatments are provided and what are goals to be accomplished during dermatological rehabilitation?

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Evaluation of current guidelines, directives, and recommendations as well as exemplary reviews.

RESULTS

Dermato-oncological diseases and every chronic dermatological disease that is associated with a limitation of body functions and structures, activity and participation is eligible for medical rehabilitation. They include need, ability to absolve a rehabilitation, and a favorable prognosis. Treatments range from therapy of the underlying dermatological condition to interdisciplinary treatment of comorbidities with the aim of restoring functional health.

CONCLUSIONS

Medical rehabilitation follows a holistic approach and represents a significant addition to outpatient and acute inpatient care, often leading to a long-term improvement in clinical outcome, participation, and activity.

Dermatological rehabilitation

Chronic and chronically recurring diseases often cannot be treated causally and usually lead to a considerable impairment in social and occupational participation. In order to deal appropriately with such restrictions, a more comprehensive therapeutic approach is required in the sense of a bio-psychosocial model of disease and health which serves as the basis for modern dermatological rehabilitation. Multimodal, quality-controlled dermatological rehabilitation gives patients with chronic skin diseases a treatment option that goes beyond the primarily symptom-oriented outpatient care provided by office-based physicians and the acute care of inpatient facilities. This paper presents the complex opportunities offered by dermatological rehabilitation. The aim of this paper is to put dermatologists working in the practical field in a position to help their patients with chronic skin diseases to realize their statutory right to participate in society. For this purpose, it will impart the understanding of medical rehabilitation that is necessary so that the dermatologist in charge can advise his or her patient competently, in order to successfully arrange for the corresponding care appropriate to the indication and taking into account personal circumstances and insurance-related requirements.