Introduction

People have always been on the move for many reasons, including war and conflict, insecurity, disasters, poverty, and to find work and seek a better life for themselves and their families. But more people are now on the move than ever before in our history, with migration increasing every year over the last two decades, particularly forced migration. In 2021, 89.3 million people were forced to flee their homes due to conflict, violence, fear of persecution and human rights violations. This is more than double the 42.7 million people who were forcibly displaced a decade ago, and the highest it has been since World War II. Current evidence suggests that this number will continue to rise, with over 100 million people estimated to be displaced in 2022.

The need for rehabilitation services to meet the needs of displaced persons at each stage of the migration process is an urgent and growing global issue. The impact of forced migration on health and well-being is contributing to rapid global increases in the numbers of people experiencing a decline in functioning, resulting in enormous unmet rehabilitation needs. Much of these unmet needs are concentrated amongst the poorest and most vulnerable populations. Low- and middle-income countries host 83% of all displaced persons, with 27% hosted in the least developed countries, including Bangladesh, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, and Yemen. These countries are often ill-equipped to cope with the increasing need for rehabilitation services.

The role of the health and social care professional is key in the rehabilitation process for displaced persons and this series of courses provides a comprehensive perspective on the effects of displacement on health. It considers the competencies necessary to deliver quality care across the broad scope of rehabilitation needed by displaced persons through all stages of the migration process. This programme of seven courses will involve around 4-6 hours of work each week, depending on your learning style. For each of the seven courses, after passing the final quiz and completing all of the required learning activities, participants will receive a completion certificate, CPD points and any CEUs available. Note - Submitting a written assignment to complete the overall Understanding the Rehabilitation Needs of Displaced Persons course programme is optional.

Aims

This programme of courses aims to equip rehabilitation professionals with a comprehensive knowledge of rehabilitation for displaced persons so that they can play an effective part in the multidisciplinary management of displaced persons through all stages of the migration process. It also aims to enable rehabilitation professionals to play a proactive role in global and local efforts to increase access to high-quality rehabilitation for displaced persons through all stages of the migration process.

Outline

This programme will cover the following topics:

1. Global Context for Displaced Persons
2. Health and Well Being for Displaced Persons
3. Communication and Trauma-Informed Care for Displaced Persons
4. Considerations for Working with Different Displaced Person Populations
5. Considerations and Practical Tools for Working with Survivors of Sexual Violence and Trafficking
6. Considerations for Working with Survivors of Torture
7. Assessment and Management of Displaced Persons with Pain

Target audience

This course is aimed at rehabilitation professionals, students and assistants including but not limited to Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Rehabilitation Doctors, Rehabilitation Nurses, Prosthetists, Orthotists, Psychologists, Audiologists, Dietetics, Social Workers. Community Health Workers, Nurses or Medical Doctors interested in this subject are also invited to participate.