Training needs and learning objectives in Rehabilitation Practice for Family Medicine residents in Tunisia in 2024

Family Medicine (FM) is undergoing global reform to address healthcare challenges and improve patient outcomes. Rehabilitation is a crucial component of primary care, yet FM training often lacks adequate emphasis on this area.

To determine the needs of FM residents in rehabilitation training and formulate corresponding training objectives.

A cross-sectional observational descriptive study was conducted among FM residents and practitioners in Sousse, Tunisia. The Delphi method was used to identify and prioritize training needs, subsequently translated into specific learning objectives. First authors identified 15 needs presented to FM residents of Faculty of medicine of Sousse. Then, the most chosen 10 needs were validated by experts in rehabilitation and preventive medicine. Finally based on the participants choices, experts formulated learning objectives in rehabilitation practice for FM residents.

We included 391 residents of FM and general practitioners. Ten key training needs were identified among FM residents, focusing on common musculoskeletal and neurological conditions such as chronic low back pain, neck pain, and urinary incontinence. Corresponding objectives were developed encompassing cognitive, psychomotor, and affective domains.

This study provides a foundation for incorporating rehabilitation into FM training in Tunisia. Addressing identified needs and defining clear objectives leads to a systemic planning of training. Future research should focus on implementing these objectives and evaluating their impact on patient outcomes.