Effectiveness of post-acute care for patients with cerebral vascular disease in Taiwan between 2014 and 2023: a narrative synthesis.

The review combined many different observational studies, so differences in patient severity, hospital type, and care pathways may explain the reported benefits. The authors state limitations and potential biases from study designs or selection. PAC was delivered as a package including physiatrists or physicians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, rehabilitation nurses, pharmacists, dietitians, and social workers, so the effect of any single component cannot be separated. Some functional measures did not improve significantly in some studies, including certain swallowing, speech, and cognitive outcomes. The review used narrative synthesis, so it describes consistency across studies rather than a combined estimate of benefit.

The authors declare that no financial support was received for the research or publication of the article.

Do not read this as proof that post-acute care alone caused better function, lower readmissions, or lower costs. The included studies were observational, and patients received a package that could include physiatrists or physicians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, rehabilitation nurses, pharmacists, dietitians, and social workers, so the effect of any single component cannot be separated.