Theoretical Framework and Key Elements of International Rehabilitation Policy: Contents Analysis of WHO Rehabilitation Policy Documents / 中国康复理论与实践

ABSTRACT

Objectives:To systematically analyze the framework and contents of World Health Organization (WHO) policy and action strategies on rehabilitation using the theory of WHO health service components, to explore the theoretical bases, methodology, framework and core elements of WHO's international rehabilitation policy. Methods:WHO has launched rehabilitation-related policy documents, mainly including Rehabilitation in Health Systems, Rehabilitation in Health Systems: Guide for Action, Rehabilitation Indicator Menu: a tool accompanying the Framework for Rehabilitation Monitoring and Evaluation (FRAME), Template for Rehabilitation Information Collection (TRIC): a tool accompanying the Systematic Assessment of Rehabilitation Situation (STARS), and established systems of international rehabilitation policy architecture system. Using content analysis, this study analyzed in detail the theoretical basis and methodology of international rehabilitation policy, the policy framework, and the core elements of the action strategy and priority areas of rehabilitation service development in perspective of WHO six building blocks of health system, namely leadership and governance, financing, human resources for health, service delivery, medical technology, and health information systems. Results:WHO rehabilitation policy is developed based on WHO's theories of person-centered health services, social determinants of health, and functioning, disability and health of International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. WHO rehabilitation policy recognized that the development of rehabilitation was an important pathway achieving United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals 3, ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages, i.e. Unlversal Health Coverage. This paper systematically analyzed WHO's international policy framework, action strategies, and development areas, content and priorities in six major areas: leadership and governance, financing, human resources for health, service delivery, medicine and technology, and health information systems. WHO rehabilitation policies advocates to develop national rehabilitation plans, to establish and improve rehabilitation leaderships and the development of mechanism and capacity of rehabilitation governance, to develop multiple approaches of rehabilitation financing, to integrate rehabilitation into health service system, provides different levels of rehabilitation services in the health service continuum, and to build networks of service delivery, to train professionals, to foster rehabilitation information system within health system, to enhance service quality and service coverage, to focus on key areas and priority programs to meet the diverse needs of different populations, and achieve universal health coverage; to include assistive technology into the rehabilitation service system as a field of medicine and technology; and to collect information on functioning and rehabilitation needs, outcomes and impacts of rehabilitation services in the health information system, and conduct evidence-based researches on rehabilitation systems. Conclusion:The framework and contents of WHO's international rehabilitation policies have systematically reviewed at the macro, meso, and micro levels with the perspective of WHO six building blocks of the health system. The goal of rehabilitation development is to achieve universal rehabilitation coverage. The conceptual theories of rehabilitation are based on the theories of people-centered health services and social determinants of health. Rehabilitation is an important initiative to achieve the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. The international rehabilitation health policy system is built on six major areas of rehabilitation: leadership and governance, rehabilitation financing, rehabilitation human resources, rehabilitation service delivery, rehabilitation-related medicine and technology, and rehabilitation and health information system. The policy and action strategies for rehabilitation development, as well as specific implementation paths and methods, at macro, meso and micro levels: theory and policy, policy action, and implementation methods and tools have been reviewed and discussed. The implementation of the WHO rehabilitation policies advocates to take the following actions: strengthening the leadership, governance, planning and coordination capacity of rehabilitation services; constructing a reasonable rehabilitation financing mechanism and raising necessary funds for rehabilitation; improving the training and guarantee mechanism of rehabilitation human resources; enhancing the professional capacity of rehabilitation personnel, improving the capacity of rehabilitation service delivery and improving service quality; improving the quality and accessibility of assistive products and assistive technology services; establishing health information system covering functioning, disability and rehabilitation, and conducting scientific researches on rehabilitation.