SOAR Program

Direct RehabMed is proud to introduce our newest specialty program, SOAR (Sub-Acute Occupational Assessment and Rehabilitation).  The SOAR Program is an early intervention multidisciplinary return to work program designed to expedite return to work and case resolution for injured workers.  As the cost of worker's compensation continues to sky-rocket, it is extremely important to utilize cost effective strategies to expedite quality outcomes.  Our program uses a team of Medical Doctors, Physical Therapists, Psychologists, and Licensed Professional Counselors/Vocational Counselors who develop and implement an evidence based plan of care for injured workers who have not demonstrated the ability to safely return to work after appropriate levels of Physical Therapy and or Medical care.  

 

The SOAR Program utilizes a strict and proven admission criterion to identify injured workers who are at risk of developing chronic pain behaviors.  Rather than wasting valuable time and expensive resources with ongoing and ineffective unimodal approaches, the patient is assessed by the SOAR treatment team.  This team includes a Board Certified Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physician, clinical psychologist, and a physical therapist.  The treatment team establishes an appropriate evidence based treatment plan focused on returning the injured employee to the work force as quickly as possible.  Texas statistics indicate that greater than 90% of the injured workers who are off of work for more than 6 months never return to the work force.  Therefore, it is vitally important to intervene early, prior to this critical stage.  In doing so, any medical, physical/functional, or psychological barrier can be identified and addressed prior to the employee's injury becoming "chronic", which is generally accompanied by "chronic pain behaviors" and ultimately a disability mind-set.  The following is a list of the admission and discharge criteria for the SOAR Program:

 

Admission Criteria:

• Completed at least 12 P.T. sessions
• Failed to RTW after 12 P.T. sessions
• Documented compensable injury
• Documented evidence of physical/functional limitation
• Documented evidence of Psychological barriers that may impede RTW
• Use of medication or other chemicals to manage perceived pain
• No past medical history that would contraindicate safe participation
• No pending surgical intervention

 

Discharge Criteria:

• Patient meets RTW demands without limitations
• Patient allowed to RTW on permanent modified duty with restrictions
• Patient demonstration of non-compliance
• Development of secondary health complications that would prohibit participation

 

Program Consists of:

• FCE *
• Medical H & P *
• Psychological Evaluation *
• Development and integration of a multidisciplinary treatment plan
• Vocational counseling PRN
• Job Site Analysis PRN *

* billed separately

 

Our typical program is 4 days per week with up to 6 hours per day of multidisciplinary treatment.  The program is organized into 10 session intervals and is CARF accredited.