Public sector rehabilitation services for physical disabilities in tertiary care hospitals of Karachi, Pakistan: A qualitative study

作者：Naveed Ahmed, Saeed Ahmed Shaikh, Atif Riaz, Farid Midhet, Nukhba Zia · 发表于：Injury · 年份：2023 · DOI：10.1016/j.injury.2023.05.029 · 被引用次数：10 · 研究领域：Occupational Therapy Practice and Research、Cerebral Palsy and Movement Disorders、Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery

BACKGROUND: Around the globe there are 2.4 billion people in need of rehabilitation. Disability and rehabilitation have not gained much importance in the public health arena, possibly due to limited research and awareness regarding the significance of rehabilitation. This study aimed to provide an in-depth understanding of the barriers and facilitators to the provision and utilization of rehabilitation services in public sector tertiary care hospitals of Karachi, Pakistan. METHODOLOGY: This qualitative exploratory study was conducted from August to September 2015 in two tertiary care hospitals of Karachi. The criterion for hospital selection included the availability of functional rehabilitation services. Twenty-four key informant interviews were conducted with health professionals, including doctors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, prosthetists, orthotists, as well as patients and caregivers. Qualitative content analysis was performed using a consensual qualitative research approach. Responses from key informant interviews were coded into free nodes and then categorized into themes. RESULTS: Two themes emerged from the data: constraints to the provision of rehabilitation services, and barriers to the utilization of rehabilitation services. Basic infrastructure was available at both study sites; however, a lack of structured guidelines for referring patients to these services, a lack of information-sharing and guidance to the patients, and a limited supply of equip...