Healthcare professionals’ perceptions of community-based rehabilitation in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Abstract

Background People with disabilities (PWDs) continue to experience challenges with access to healthcare. Community-based rehabilitation (CBR) is an approach that advocates for equal opportunities and social inclusion of PWDs to enhance their quality of daily life. Healthcare professionals are crucial in the implementation of CBR. However, little is known about the perception of healthcare professionals on this approach to rehabilitation in South Africa. Aim This study sought to explore perceptions of healthcare professionals on CBR in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Setting This study was located across four public healthcare facilities spanning districts to tertiary levels care in KwaZulu-Natal, situated in rural and peri-urban areas. Methods An explorative qualitative approach using focus group discussions was used to collect data from healthcare professionals employed at these public hospitals in the province. Twenty-five healthcare workers participated in four focus group discussions, with four to eight participants per group. Data were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Results The findings revealed four dominant themes, namely, the CBR conundrum, CBR enablers, perceived impediments to CBR implementation and a proposal for the implementation of CBR. Conclusion Continual promotion of, as well as education and training on, CBR for healthcare professionals, was understood as an imperative for the development and roll-out of CBR programmes in South African communities. Excellent communication about CBR programmes was described as key to ensuring social inclusion, quality of life and access to services for PWDs.

Reliability and concurrent validity of the Spinal Cord Independence Measure III among rehabilitation professionals

“…These consequences may be significantly exacerbated during the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, as hospital services are limited for these individuals and the rehabilitation period is dramatically shortened [ 2 ]. This situation may result in a paradigm shift with the greater demands on community-based rehabilitation (CBR) and home healthcare services for the distribution of standard healthcare services to individuals’ homes and communities [ 3 , 4 ]. This healthcare modification suggests the need for a thorough standard assessment to promote effective communication regarding goal settings, monitoring and data transferring among rehabilitation professionals in various clinical, community and home-based settings.…”