The Preferred Alternative To Hospitalisation (PATH) Programme is an integral part of the Institute for the Clinical Advancement of Neuroplasticity (I CAN!) and represents a well-researched clinically and cost effective means of producing positive clinical outcomes as an established alternative to hospitalisation model of care. Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) have demonstrated that this model of care can produce equal or superior clinical outcomes in many neurological and psychiatric clinical populations at a greatly reduced cost over traditional inpatient hospital stays, with increased patient satisfaction. This model differs greatly from the Australian Medi-hotel model in that it involves active treatment onsite and offsite of individuals who would otherwise require acute hospitalisation, rather than serving as a ‘step-up’ or ‘step-down’ service without treatment.

PATH 4 Mobility offers a residential alternative to hospitalization for voluntary adults who are experiencing a severe neurological or mental health crisis that cannot be managed on an outpatient basis.  The setting for the programme is a homelike environment providing a safe, warm and supportive treatment milieu, with a clearly defined structure for recovery. Each individual health participant in the programme stays with their family member or support person. The family member or support person performs many of the duties that nurses would likely perform in an acute hospital setting under supervision as required. Nurses deliver medication, do IV and PEG therapies, suction, monitor respirators and other critical medical interventions.  Families, specially trained support workers, allied health and nurses are involved in transporting the patients to therapies, assisting with bathing, dressing and toileting, acting as a co-therapist when required, and providing emotional supports. Specialist Psychiatrists, Neurologists, Rehabilitation Specialists, Psychologists, Pharmacists, Social Workers, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Vocational Therapists, and Specialist Nurses participate in the care of the patients and develop custom designed capacity building programmes for each individual health participant focusing on their mobility needs and goals.

PATH 4 Mobility encompasses the following services: 

1. Short-term diagnostic assessment and second opinion 
2. Polypharmacy review and deprescribing service 
3. Complex need and goal review
4. Comprehensive health services
5. ROM, Power and Capacity Building Potential Review 
6. Activities of daily living (ADL) review
7. Neuroplasticity-based active rehabilitation and mobility training

Multidisciplinary clinical review, onsite EEG monitoring, neurophysiology and sleep studies, advanced MRI and Neuroimaging, Genetic Studies and specialized Pathology are all available. Comprehensive outcome measures including mobility, gait, cognition, quality of life, and mood will be assessed at the beginning and end of the programme for all health participants.