Reinventing Therapy Frequency: Recommendations for the Medically Complex Patient

This article outlines the differences between a traditional restorative model of therapy and a maintenance model of therapy. It defines medical complexity and skilled care as it pertains primarily to physical, but occupational and speech therapy as well, and explores why the medically complex therapy patient requires consistent skilled care. Individualizing therapy frequency by properly quantifying the utilization (frequency and duration) for the medically complex patient enables the life care planner to better meet the rehabilitation needs of this population.