The system for medical rehabilitation in Croatia

Purpose.?To describe the framework for medical rehabilitation in Croatia and to discuss its influence on the practice of the specialty.

Methods.?Collection, analysis and interpretation of data pertaining to the need for medical rehabilitation in the country and to its elements of structure, process and outcome of care.

Results.?The practice of medical rehabilitation in Croatia has evolved without strategic planning on the national level and therefore without a designed system. This lack in the present framework causes shortcomings in all three elements of rehabilitation care and impedes the advancement of the specialty.

Conclusion.?Medical rehabilitation in Croatia needs a national strategic plan for a three-level system that incorporates inpatient, outpatient and community-based rehabilitation.