Building PRM in sub-Saharan Africa
Abena Yeboaa Tannor1, Mary Elizabeth S Nelson2, Hannah K Steere3
1Department of Health Promotion and Disability, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences
|October 3, 2022
Summary
Rehabilitation care is lacking for 50% of people in low-income countries. A fellowship program trains Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM) physicians in Africa, addressing this critical gap.
Area of Science:
- Medical Rehabilitation
- Global Health
- Physician Training
Background:
- Approximately 50% of individuals needing rehabilitation in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) do not receive it.
- Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM) physicians enhance functioning and quality of life, but are scarce in LMICs, especially sub-Saharan Africa.
- A lack of PRM training programs exacerbates the specialist shortage in these regions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the establishment and implementation of a PRM fellowship program in LMICs.
- To detail the process of engaging stakeholders and admitting fellows for rehabilitation medicine training.
- To provide a model for developing PRM training in underserved regions.
Main Methods:
- The International Rehabilitation Forum (IRF) developed and implemented a fellowship program in Ghana, Ethiopia, and Cameroon.
- The process involved stakeholder engagement and establishing admission criteria for fellows.
- The program aims to train local physicians in rehabilitation medicine.
Main Results:
- The IRF fellowship program has been successfully implemented in three LMICs in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Challenges identified include a shortage of PRM trainers, limited hands-on training logistics, and funding constraints.
- The program shows promise for sustainable, locally-led rehabilitation training.
Conclusions:
- The PRM fellowship program offers a viable solution to the specialist deficit in LMICs.
- Addressing challenges in training capacity, resources, and funding is crucial for program expansion.
- The ultimate goal is to empower locally trained fellows to lead and scale the program across Africa.
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