Understanding inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation

What is rehabilitation?

Rehabilitation is a goal-focused program of assessment, therapy and support designed to help a person recover function, manage limitations and participate in everyday activities after illness, injury or surgery. It is usually delivered by a team that may include medical, nursing and allied health professionals working together with the person and their family.

Inpatient rehabilitation

Inpatient rehabilitation takes place in a hospital or dedicated rehabilitation unit. The person stays overnight and has access to medical and nursing care alongside daily therapy. It is typically considered when a person needs close monitoring, intensive therapy or 24-hour support that cannot safely be provided at home.

Outpatient, community-based and home-based rehabilitation

Outpatient rehabilitation involves attending scheduled appointments at a clinic, day hospital or therapy centre while living at home. Community-based programs may be delivered in local health centres, community health services or group settings. Home-based rehabilitation brings clinicians to the person's home, which can be useful when travel is difficult or when therapy benefits from being practised in the person's own environment.

Typical differences

• Setting: hospital ward versus clinic, community service or home.
• Support level: 24-hour nursing and medical cover versus scheduled appointments.
• Daily structure: a structured therapy timetable versus appointments arranged around daily life.
• Length: short, intensive admissions versus longer programs spread over weeks or months.

Factors clinicians may consider

• Current medical stability and risk of complications.
• How much therapy a person can tolerate each day.
• Practical considerations such as home environment, transport and informal supports.
• Goals the person and their family want to work towards.
• Local availability of programs and waiting times.

Moving between settings

It is common to transition from an inpatient admission to an outpatient, community or home-based program as recovery progresses. A coordinated discharge plan, with handover between teams, helps avoid gaps in care.

An important note

Suitability for any rehabilitation setting requires an individual clinical assessment. This guide is general information and cannot replace that assessment.