Medical rehabilitation in Croatia impact of the 1991-1995 war: past problems, present state, future concerns.

AIM To assess whether the 1991-1995 war has stimulated development of the medical rehabilitation system in Croatia. METHODS Review of documents pertaining to the system, study of clinical reports describing rehabilitation activities as published in the Croatian medical literature, study of data obtained and their consideration in terms of effectiveness and quality of rehabilitation care, and comparison of data from 1991 with those from 1995. RESULTS There has been no significant change in the number of rehabilitation facilities, beds, and rehabilitation professionals. However, elements of structure and process of rehabilitation care have improved in respect of 1) education and composition of rehabilitation professionals, 2) availability of specialized facilities for rehabilitation of patients with complex impairments (traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries), 3) interdisciplinary team approach, 4) use of functional status measurements, and 5) laying the foundations for community-based rehabilitation in the country. CONCLUSION The 1991-1995 war has stimulated the development of medical rehabilitation system in Croatia. Other factors may have played a complementary role, too. This proves that medical rehabilitation is a field that develops in association with war.