Rehabilitation: Health Research Perspectives And Challenge

Abstract

Policy drives practice and Health Services Research is at the intersection of policy, practice and patient outcomes. Health Services Research in relation to disability has to reform targets to add value to rehabilitation in a policy relevant context. Medical rehabilitation research is directed towards restoration and improvement of functional capabilities lost due to injury, disease or congenital disorders along with the development of new and improved assisted technologies. Fostering stake holders’ engagement in this regard ensures patient centered focus. The crucial information from all the pertinent fields for rehabilitation generates a hub of innovative strategies leading to commercialization in Health Services Research (HSR). The investigation revolves around current resources available in this field with identification of gaps for capacity building and connectivity between all the stake holders for a meaningful bonding, making health care reforms a reality. Rehabilitation is a vital component of health services. It includes a group of interventions which intend to optimize function in those disabled and suffering from diseases so that they can interact better with their environment by living, working and learning to their best capability.There is a growing need for rehabilitation today as populations age and the occurrence of non communicable diseases and injuries increase1. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported an estimated 15% of the world’s population suffering from mental or physical disabilities[2]. Rehabilitation research being a multidisciplinary venture requires strong collaboration among a good range of fields and specialties including a few such as ergonomics, biomechanics, and physical medicine, biomedical engineering and computer sciences. Rehabilitation researchers are practitioners and investigators in the science of recovery. The level of investigation could be molecular, cellular, tissues, organ systems, the whole body or psychological domains. WHO also recognizes rehabilitation as one of its key priorities in 2017 with focus on research to not only make the cost benefits of rehabilitation known and measuring its impact but also to identify the barriers in accessing rehabilitation facilities and their underutilization along with predicting the need for health professionals required in this area3.

Medical rehabilitation deals with a coordinated multidisciplinary approach to disability through a physician directing a management plan of disabling diseases and injuries. The strategy includes skilled rehabilitation nursing care, physical therapy, speech and audiology, prosthetic and orthotic devices, social, recreational and psychological services.For example, in stroke patients, physiotherapists assist in musculoskeletal issues where as speech therapists deal with language and swallowing, and occupational therapists help patients return to their daily activities2.