Introduction

One of the most important factors in rehabilitation is the impact of contextual factors, including the overall context in which rehabilitation takes place. We know that the environment is known to have a significant impact on treatment generally. Therefore, the circumstances surrounding rehabilitation, from the situation before, during and after the event leading to a loss in function, are all important factors to consider throughout the rehabilitation process. The context in which rehabilitation occurs also greatly influences the range and availability of rehabilitation services and their utilisation.

Despite disasters and conflicts being challenging contexts, rehabilitation has been integrated into the emergency responses within these contexts since the first world war, albeit traditionally only considered at the later stages of response. Due to advances in response, management and post-medical care in disaster situations, high mortality rates have gradually transitioned to increased morbidity rates. As a result, in more recent disasters, such as the 2015 Nepal earthquake and the 2020 explosion in Beirut, Lebanon, there has been a definite shift in this with the concept of ‘early rehabilitation’ positioning itself firmly within the initial emergency response phase. In humanitarian emergency situations, such as during or post-conflict and disaster situations, the need for basic functional rehabilitation services is overwhelming and critical to preventing disability and improving the lives of people with disabilities.

Aims

This programme of courses aims to equip rehabilitation professionals with a comprehensive knowledge of rehabilitation within the context of disaster and conflict situations, so that they can play an effective role in providing quality early rehabilitation that goes beyond life-and-limb-saving to deliver care that maximises functional outcomes.

Outline

This course is made up of videos, reading, forum posts and a final quiz. The course content is split into the following sections:

1. Introduction to Rehabilitation in Disaster and Conflict Situations
2. Challenges in Delivering Early Rehabilitation in Disasters and Conflicts
3. Assessment and Treatment Considerations in Disasters and Conflicts
4. Rehabilitation of Fractures in Disasters and Conflicts
5. Rehabilitation of Burns in Disasters and Conflicts
6. Rehabilitation of Spinal Cord Injury in Disasters and Conflicts
7. Rehabilitation of Acquired Brain Injury in Disasters and Conflicts
8. Rehabilitation of Amputations in Disasters and Conflicts
9. Rehabilitation of Peripheral Nerve Injuries in Disasters and Conflicts

Target audience

This programme 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.