IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v18y2021i22p12020-d680254.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

A Focus Group Study to Understand the Perspectives of Physiotherapists on Barriers and Facilitators to Advancing Rehabilitation in Low-Resource and Conflict Settings

Author

Listed:
  • Cornelia Anne Barth

    (School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin (UCD), Belfield, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
    Cochrane Switzerland, Centre for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, 1010 Lausanne, Switzerland)

  • Maggie Donovan-Hall

    (School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK)

  • Catherine Blake

    (School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin (UCD), Belfield, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland)

  • Noor Jahan Akhtar

    (Bangladesh Health Professions Institute, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1343, Bangladesh)

  • Joseph Martial Capo-Chichi

    (Centre de Dépistage et de Traitement de L’ulcère de Buruli d’Allada, Ministry of Health, Allada BP 03, Benin)

  • Cliona O’Sullivan

    (School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin (UCD), Belfield, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland)

Abstract

Physiotherapy as a health profession is continuously evolving in high-income countries (HIC). The highest burden of disease globally, however, is in low-resource and conflict contexts (LR-CC), resulting in unmet rehabilitation needs. Rehabilitation service models from HIC often face challenges when applied to the fragile health systems of LR-CC. It is important to engage rehabilitation experts living and working in LR-CC to guide service development. This study aims to understand physiotherapists’ views and perspectives of current rehabilitation services, of how these services can be strengthened over the next 10 years and of the role of physiotherapy within this development. Focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with 31 physiotherapists from 18 LR-CC using English as a common language. Audio recordings were transcribed verbatim. Data analysis was guided by thematic analysis. Participants provided deep insights into the complexity of developing rehabilitation services within fragile health systems. Participants agreed that physiotherapy lacked recognition and resources to be utilised effectively. Interacting themes as crucial prerequisites for strengthening the sector included (1) significance of context, (2) professional identity, and (3) professionalisation supported by workforce development and advocacy. These results are an important evidence base for informing the development of rehabilitation programmes in LR-CC and for future research.

Suggested Citation

  • Cornelia Anne Barth & Maggie Donovan-Hall & Catherine Blake & Noor Jahan Akhtar & Joseph Martial Capo-Chichi & Cliona O’Sullivan, 2021. "A Focus Group Study to Understand the Perspectives of Physiotherapists on Barriers and Facilitators to Advancing Rehabilitation in Low-Resource and Conflict Settings," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-18, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:22:p:12020-:d:680254
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/22/12020/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/22/12020/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Marlène Guillon & Lise Rochaix & Jean-Claude Dupont, 2018. "Cost-Effectiness of Interventions Based on Physical Activity in the Treatment of Chronic Conditions: A Systematic Literature Review," PSE-Ecole d'économie de Paris (Postprint) halshs-02096411, HAL.
    2. James Smith & Bayard Roberts & Abigail Knight & Richard Gosselin & Karl Blanchet, 2015. "A systematic literature review of the quality of evidence for injury and rehabilitation interventions in humanitarian crises," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 60(7), pages 865-872, November.
    3. Tess Bright & Sarah Wallace & Hannah Kuper, 2018. "A Systematic Review of Access to Rehabilitation for People with Disabilities in Low- and Middle-Income Countries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-34, October.
    4. Darwin Ugarte & Vincenzo Verardi, 2010. "Does Aid Induce Brain Drain? The Effect of Foreign Aid on Migration Selection," Working Papers 1012, University of Namur, Department of Economics.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Qhayiya Magaqa & Proochista Ariana & Sarah Polack, 2021. "Examining the Availability and Accessibility of Rehabilitation Services in a Rural District of South Africa: A Mixed-Methods Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-16, April.
    2. Marja Eliisa Holm & Päivi Sainio & Jaana Suvisaari & Katri Sääksjärvi & Tuija Jääskeläinen & Suvi Parikka & Seppo Koskinen, 2022. "Differences in Unfavorable Lifestyle Changes during the COVID-19 Pandemic between People with and without Disabilities in Finland: Psychological Distress as a Mediator," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-15, June.
    3. Alexandro Pinto & Luciana Sepúlveda Köptcke & Renata David & Hannah Kuper, 2021. "A National Accessibility Audit of Primary Health Care Facilities in Brazil—Are People with Disabilities Being Denied Their Right to Health?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-11, March.
    4. Sara Ortolan & Daniel Neunhaeuserer & Giulia Quinto & Barbara Barra & Anna Centanini & Francesca Battista & Marco Vecchiato & Valentina De Marchi & Martina Celidoni & Vincenzo Rebba & Andrea Ermolao, 2022. "Potential Cost Savings for the Healthcare System by Physical Activity in Different Chronic Diseases: A Pilot Study in the Veneto Region of Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-11, June.
    5. Maria Y. Charumbira & Karina Berner & Quinette A. Louw, 2022. "Functioning Problems Associated with Health Conditions with Greatest Disease Burden in South Africa: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-30, November.
    6. Tiago S. Jesus & Helen Hoenig & Michel D. Landry, 2020. "Development of the Rehabilitation Health Policy, Systems, and Services Research Field: Quantitative Analyses of Publications over Time (1990–2017) and across Country Type," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-17, February.
    7. Dorothy Boggs & Hannah Kuper & Islay Mactaggart & Tess Bright & GVS Murthy & Abba Hydara & Ian McCormick & Natalia Tamblay & Matias L. Alvarez & Oluwarantimi Atijosan-Ayodele & Hisem Yonso & Allen Fos, 2022. "Exploring the Use of Washington Group Questions to Identify People with Clinical Impairments Who Need Services including Assistive Products: Results from Five Population-Based Surveys," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-17, April.
    8. Jane Wilbur & Tess Bright & Thérèse Mahon & Shaffa Hameed & Belen Torondel & Wakisa Mulwafu & Hannah Kuper & Sarah Polack, 2018. "Developing Behaviour Change Interventions for Improving Access to Health and Hygiene for People with Disabilities: Two Case Studies from Nepal and Malawi," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-21, December.
    9. Tiago S. Jesus & Michel D. Landry & Helen Hoenig, 2019. "Global Need for Physical Rehabilitation: Systematic Analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-19, March.
    10. Xanthe Hunt & Melissa Bradshaw & Steyn Lodewyk Vogel & Alberto Vasquez Encalada & Shanice Eksteen & Marguerite Schneider & Kelly Chunga & Leslie Swartz, 2022. "Community Support for Persons with Disabilities in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-17, July.
    11. Yaroslava Robles-Bykbaev & Christian Oyola-Flores & Vladimir Espartaco Robles-Bykbaev & Martín López-Nores & Paola Ingavélez-Guerra & José Juan Pazos-Arias & Fernando Pesántez-Avilés & Manuel Ramos-Ca, 2019. "A Bespoke Social Network for Deaf Women in Ecuador to Access Information on Sexual and Reproductive Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-17, October.
    12. Peiling Yap & Peter Waiswa & Anke Berger & Nino Künzli, 2015. "Call for reviews on global health challenges," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 60(7), pages 753-754, November.
    13. Takashi Saito & Kumiko Imahashi & Chikako Yamaki, 2024. "Use of General Health Examination and Cancer Screening among People with Disability Who Need Support from Others: Analysis of the 2016 Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions in Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(2), pages 1-19, February.
    14. Ramin Asgary, 2016. "Graduate public health training in healthcare of refugee asylum seekers and clinical human rights: evaluation of an innovative curriculum," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 61(3), pages 279-287, April.
    15. Ashrita Saran & Xanthe Hunt & Howard White & Hannah Kuper, 2023. "Effectiveness of interventions for improving social inclusion outcomes for people with disabilities in low‐ and middle‐income countries: A systematic review," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 19(1), March.
    16. Maria Zuurmond & Islay Mactaggart & Nanda Kannuri & Gudlavalleti Murthy & Joseph Enyegue Oye & Sarah Polack, 2019. "Barriers and Facilitators to Accessing Health Services: A Qualitative Study Amongst People with Disabilities in Cameroon and India," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-14, March.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:22:p:12020-:d:680254. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.