Can doctors help family members understand more about rehab?

Absolutely Yes is the short answer. Many medical conditions require a team of people to help maximize a person's return to health. Rehabiliation specialists are a key part of the health care team and may include physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists and a host of others. I have been to rehab many times following my knee replacements, shoulder surgery and neck surgeries. Without the rehab team, I would not have healed as quickly or as well.

Family members are also essential to a patient's healing process as they provide support and motivation as the patient recovers. If the family understands the goals behind the rehab process, then they can help with exercises, ensure that the patient gets to appointments when needed and provide neede encouragement when progress slows. A good doctor understands all this and will make sure that family members have all the knowledge they need to help as much as possible in their loved one's healing.