Global Rehabilitation Health Worker Certification: Global Agenda, Local Imperative

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation science
• Health workforce development
• Global health policy

Background:

• Rehabilitation services are under-prioritized globally, despite 2.41 billion people worldwide needing care.
• A skilled rehabilitation workforce is essential for enhancing functioning and quality of life.
• The World Health Organization's Rehab 2030 initiative calls for global action to build a sustainable rehabilitation workforce.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a global certification framework for rehabilitation professionals.
• To provide a mechanism for validating rehabilitation knowledge and practice competence.
• To support the development and maintenance of a sustainable global rehabilitation workforce.

Main Methods:

• Partnership between CGFNS International, Inc., and the Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions (ASAHP).
• Development of a global certification framework.
• Response to the World Health Organization's Rehab 2030 call for action.

Main Results:

• A framework is presented to validate the competence of individual health workers in rehabilitation.
• The certification mechanism aims to standardize and elevate rehabilitation practice globally.
• Potential impact on upgrading rehabilitation education and upskilling the workforce.

Conclusions:

• The global certification framework offers a vital tool for workforce development in rehabilitation.
• Certification can significantly enhance the quality and accessibility of rehabilitation services worldwide.
• This initiative is key to addressing the global need for a robust and competent rehabilitation workforce.