How to Request a Case Review Before Booking a Home Visit: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Decide your question before you write

Most families arrive with several questions at once: does he need physiotherapy, when do we start, how many sessions, what does it cost? All fair, but order helps. At the review stage the first question is: is a home visit appropriate now, and what kind? Everything else follows from that answer, because the number of sessions and the cost depend on the visit type and the therapist's plan after the home assessment. Put your main question in the first line, for example: "We want to know whether my father is ready for home physiotherapy after his knee operation."

Step 2: Describe mobility at a clear level

"He is tired" or "she can't really walk" can mean many things. Pick the row below closest to the patient today and add one detail of your own.

That one line removes half of the questions we would otherwise ask. To see how therapists test these levels at home, look at our home mobility assessment.

Step 3: Put numbers on pain and fatigue

Ask the patient to rate pain from 0 (none) to 10 (worst imaginable), once at rest and once when moving; the gap between the two matters. If the patient cannot use numbers, describe behaviour: wincing when changing position, refusing to stand, holding one spot. Mention fatigue as well: sleeping most of the day, breathless after a few steps. These observations help judge how long and how demanding the first session should be.

Step 4: Record dates precisely

Dates change decisions more than people expect. The first days after some operations come with different instructions from later weeks, and a recent stroke has different priorities from an old one. Write the date of the operation or event, the discharge date and the date and outcome of the last doctor's review. If you are unsure, write an approximate date and say so.

Step 5: Photograph reports usefully

• One photo per page, in daylight, without flash glare.
• Include the full page edges; key instructions are often on the last line.
• Send the surgeon's or physiotherapy instruction sheet first.
• Send the written imaging report rather than the scan images.
• You may cover the name and civil ID.
• Arabic or English reports are both fine.

If there are many reports, start with the latest discharge summary and send the rest if we ask.

Step 6: Choose the channel that suits you

The channel matters less than a complete first message. Ready-made wording by case type is on our pre-booking assessment enquiry page.

Step 7: Answer the follow-up questions and read the recommendation

Answer our short questions in one numbered message if you can. The recommendation usually covers four things: whether a home visit fits now, the type (physiotherapy, nursing or both), the therapist profile and the available times. Read it with whoever else is involved and ask about anything unclear before confirming. What happens inside the team at this stage is explained on our case review page.

A complete example and how we read it

A daughter writes: "We want to know if my father is ready for physiotherapy at home. He is 74, had a left knee replacement on the 3rd and was discharged four days later. He walks indoors with a frame while one of us stands next to him. Pain is 3/10 at rest and 6/10 when walking. He takes a blood thinner and blood-pressure tablets. Surgeon's sheet and discharge summary attached. We live in Bayan, his room is on the ground floor. Male or female therapist is fine; after 4 pm preferred."

In a few lines this covers almost everything. The question tells us what the family wants; the date tells us the stage of recovery; the walking description places him at "needs supervision", so fall prevention is a priority; the pain scores show movement is painful but possible; the blood thinner makes a fall more dangerous; the surgeon's sheet gives the limits. Our reply is one or two questions, then a therapist with joint-rehab experience, a note to clear a safe path and set out a firm chair, and afternoon slots in Bayan. Compare "My dad had knee surgery, we need physio": not wrong, but it takes at least five exchanges to reach the same point.

Mistakes that make the recommendation less accurate

Downplaying or exaggerating difficulty, leaving out something that feels embarrassing such as incontinence or night-time confusion, relying on an old report without saying what has changed, or writing on behalf of a patient you have not seen for days. If that last one applies, ask the current carer to message us directly. For older adults, our guide to recovering from hospital deconditioning helps you describe weakness and fatigue after discharge.

If the carer does not speak Arabic or English well

In many Kuwaiti homes the patient spends most of the day with a helper or driver while a son or daughter does the messaging. Tell us the carer's language so we can take it into account when choosing the therapist and keep written instructions simple. Having both the carer and a family member at the first session works best.

The best time to send the enquiry

Many families wait until the patient has been home for days before looking for help, losing useful time. Ideally, enquire a day or two before discharge, when reports are at hand and hospital staff can still answer questions. The recommendation is then ready as the patient arrives home, and the room can be set up in advance using our hospital discharge home preparation guide. In summer, mention where the patient's room is and whether it is air-conditioned; in Ramadan, mention if the patient is fasting so we suggest suitable times.

After the recommendation: three possible paths

Physiotherapy visit

Confirm the time, prepare what is on the checklist and have a family member present for the first session, described in what happens at the first home physiotherapy session.

Nursing first

This does not mean physiotherapy is unimportant, only that a nursing need such as a wound or catheter should be handled before or alongside it.

Doctor first

Take the questions we suggested to the doctor, ask for a written opinion if possible, and send us the answer so we can continue without starting over.

Printable checklist

• My main question in one line.
• Mobility level from the table.
• Pain at rest and on movement, out of 10.
• Date of the event and of discharge.
• Clear photos of discharge summary and surgeon's instructions.
• Key medicines.
• Area, floor and lift.
• Male or female therapist preference.
• Number of the person with the patient.

Frequently asked questions

This content is general health information from the Bidaya Center team and does not replace an individual medical diagnosis or consultation.