A recent study published by the Physiopedia team through the ReLAB-HS activity sheds light on opportunities to enhance global rehabilitation workforce development by fostering partnerships focused on the efficient delivery of training. Full text of this important study is freely available here.
Rehabilitation services are defined as ‘interventions designed to optimise functioning and reduce disability in individuals with health conditions in interaction with their environment’, and may be delivered by a number of different professions such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, audiologists, prosthetics and orthotics, physical and rehabilitation medicine, psychology and social work. There is increasing global recognition of the need to strengthen the rehabilitation workforce to meet the growing need for rehabilitation services, one option for which is in providing sustainable advanced education to working professionals through the provision of continuing professional development (CPD).
CPD empowers rehabilitation professionals but there is little information about the availability of and access to CPD for rehabilitation professionals in low and middle income countries (LMICs), where many barriers exist such as cost, inconsistent internet access and resources.
As part of ReLAB-HS, the Physiopedia team recently published new research that helps us to better understand the current state of CPD for rehabilitation professionals globally. This mixed methods, exploratory study study was completed to develop a better understanding of the current landscape of CPD for rehabilitation professionals globally, with a focus on LMICs. In particular it was set up to describe the CPD available to rehabilitation professionals, to identify essential internationally relevant CPD options and resources to support rehabilitation workforce development and to understand challenges related to accessing online resources to support the current education being offered and for the provision of CPD. Through a combination of surveys and structured interviews, the opinions of 549 rehabilitation professionals globally were gathered. The study concluded that the CPD requirements for practising clinicians and regulation of CPD activities varies widely across countries and professions. Participants expressed a need for additional resources and educational opportunities, particularly for multidisciplinary rehabilitation focusing on neurological conditions. However, there were multiple barriers to accessing technological resources and professional development in low and middle-income countries that must be navigated alongside low engagement and motivation for lifelong learning.
There is opportunity to enhance global rehabilitation workforce development by fostering partnerships focused on the efficient delivery of training. This might include developing CPD programmes that consider cultural contexts, patient populations and practice settings, and support for CPD can be improved through both internal and external motivators and by regulating CPD activities to ensure effective, evidence-based practice.
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