Patient Motivation for Rehabilitation

Abstract

The importance of motivation in the treatment-recovery-rehabilitation process has been cited by many authors. Many therapists have worked with two roughly similar cleft palate or facially disfigured patients, one of whom responded favorably to rehabilitation, while the other did not. In such an instance, unspecified differences in motivation have often been assumed to account for such disparities in progress. There is relatively little research or systematic writing on patient motivation for rehabilita— tion. This article is based in part on a review of reports in the literature on motivation concerning many types of patients for rehabilitation (1). While relatively few reports on patient motivation have dealt specifically With cleft palate, cleft lip, and facially disfigured patients, results from several studies have implications for this group. In discussing patient motivation for rehabilitation, it is appropriate first to specify the meaning of these terms. The use of the word patient is meant to restrict this discussion to the patient's motivations (his interests , drives, and other behaviors) which have to do with his trying to improve his functioning and to realize his capabilities. The rehabilitation process connotes as complete as possible a restoration and/or habilitation of the patient, physically, mentally, vocationally, and socially, so that he may realize his potentialities to the fullest. In most cases, this will involve the assessment of present abilities, capacities, and functioning, then restoration and repair, then retraining , then reassessment, further repair when indicated, further retraining when indicated, reassessment again, etc. This rehabilitation cycle is a continuing one until rehabilitation is complete, that is, until the patient has achieved his best possible adjustment. It is important to remember that physical management, whether sur— gical or prosthetic, is only one part of the rehabilitation process. Without guidance and training in the use of the prosthesis, without the very necessary training in communication skills, the patient may be only par—