Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in Minnesota

The Community Reintegration Outpatient Group (CROG)

Joining the Community Reintegration Outpatient Group
People interested in participating in the Community Reintegration Outpatient Group (CROG) come to Mayo Clinic for a two-day evaluation through the Brain Injury Outpatient Program. This visit gives the person with brain injury and family members a chance to meet the professional team. When required, a neurologist, neuropsychiatrist, chemical dependency specialist, or other professional takes part in the evaluation.

The evaluation ends with a conference that involves the professional team, the person with brain injury, family members, and others. At this conference, the team presents its findings and makes recommendations for treatment. Recommendations may include admission to CROG.

Potential participants who come to Mayo for an evaluation are responsible for themselves during the two-day evaluation process. Between appointments, Mayo does not provide direct supervision. It is best for the person with brain injury to attend the evaluation with a family member or other supportive person.

Once accepted into CROG, participants meet with one or more of the group's facilitators.

Program Requirements
Patients who enter CROG usually have problems with at least one of the following:

• Thinking
• Communication
• Social awareness
• Behavior
• Skills needed to live independently in the community

Participants must be mobile and able to handle routine self-care.

Setting and Meeting Goals
The next step is an individual appointment with an occupational therapist. Here the participant and therapist choose one to three long-term goals. They also set up an appropriate schedule of group meetings.

Participants measure progress by the number of short-term goals that they meet. With help from the professional team, participants set these goals as steps to achieving their long-term goals. Conferences are held from time to time that involve participants and the professional team. Representatives from community agencies and other professionals also can attend.

Participants usually take part in CROG for four to six months.

Program Schedule
The program meets three mornings each week for one hour. Sessions are led by an occupational therapist, speech pathologist, or neuropsychologist. A clinical social worker, vocational case coordinator, rehabilitation nurse, physical therapist, recreational therapist, and physiatrist also are available for consultation.