Rehabilitation Medicine for Optimal Quality of Life
The field of rehabilitation medicine, whose goal is to decrease disabilities and limitations caused by illness or injury, has been developing rapidly and has increasingly entered the public consciousness. But while the development of society, the continuing improvement in our quality of life, and the successes of modern medicine have contributed to the fact that we are healthier and live longer lives than ever before, we are still subject to diseases and injuries that may be accompanied by disturbances of functioning. For this reason, rehabilitation medicine is now more important than ever before.
Rehabilitation is an intensive, extensive, and dynamic process of diagnosis and treatment that involves multidisciplinary teams of professionals striving to help people deal with the negative functional outcomes of illness or injury, which often include physical, emotional, sensory, and cognitive impairments, to significantly improve their functioning. Rehabilitation has a decisive influence on the quality of life of people who suffer from acute and chronic medical conditions. The ultimate goal of rehabilitation is for these patients to be able to function independently at home and in society and enjoy the best quality of life possible for them. Therefore, a multistep, multi-component plan that combines inpatient rehabilitation in the hospital and rehabilitation in the community is essential for the modern rehabilitation process.Rehabilitation treatment is provided by unique multidisciplinary teams that operate in an integrated manner to serve patients and promote their wellbeing. Various professions are involved in the rehabilitation system: rehabilitation medicine, nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and communication therapy, psychology, social work, and others. Rehabilitation treatment plans are constructed according to a specialized rehabilitation program under the direction of the team leader, a physician whose specialty is rehabilitation medicine.
Soroka is a strategic asset of the State of Israel and the country’s “iron dome of health” in routine times and during emergencies for civilians and IDF soldiers alike. Soroka is recognized for its excellent clinical care and leads the country in many areas, including genetics, obstetrics and gynecology, infection control, and emergency care and preparedness. On Saturday, October 7th 2023, as war erupted, Soroka Medical Center confronted challenges of an unparalleled magnitude — challenges no other hospital in Israel has ever had to face. The magnitude of casualties was overwhelming. The number of wounded, the severity of the injuries, and the rate at which they arrived at our emergency department all challenged our treatment capacity. On the first day of the war, we treated over 670 casualties, with more than 130 of them seriously or critically injured. In times of war, the field of rehabilitation medicine assumes a pivotal role in the healing and recovery process of those affected by conflict. It is a beacon of hope amidst adversity, offering specialized care to individuals grappling with physical and psychological injuries. This is especially true at Soroka Medical Center, as we stand on the frontlines of treating casualties and are the primary destination for the most severely injured individuals. The number of hospital beds designated for rehabilitation medicine in the entire southern region of Israel (60% of the country’s landmass) comprises a mere 0.5% of the country’s total rehabilitation beds, often forcing patients and their families to travel long distances to receive proper treatment.In 2015, Soroka Medical Center established a 20-bed rehabilitation facility. Nonetheless, a tremendous gap still exists in rehabilitation medicine in the Negev. To correct this significant problem, Soroka Medical Center is establishing a new comprehensive Rehabilitation Medicine Center, which will provide.
- Continuity of care and treatment for patients from the emergency department and trauma unit, medical and surgical wards, and outpatient services
- Pediatric rehabilitation, not previously available in the Negev
- Optimal rehabilitation treatment close to home, sparing patients and their families the burden of travelling to the center of the country, and allowing families to provide the support that comprises a vital component of the rehabilitation process
- State-of-the-art comprehensive rehabilitation services for the residents of the entire Negev
Donor Opportunities Please Contact:
Rachel Heisler Sheinfeld | Executive Director
American Friends of Soroka Medical Center
Office: 914-725-9070