Reconfiguring Rehabilitation Services for Rural South Africans with Disabilities During a Health Emergency: A...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Rehabilitation Sciences
• Disability Studies

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns severely impacted healthcare services globally.
• Disability and rehabilitation services, including Orthotics and Prosthetics (O&P), faced significant disruptions.
• Limited access to O&P services particularly affected individuals in rural regions of South Africa.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore how Medical Orthotists and Prosthetists reconfigured O&P services during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To inform the development of disability-inclusive emergency response strategies.
• To understand the challenges and adaptations in O&P service delivery in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive qualitative study design was employed.
• Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 12 Medical Orthotists and Prosthetists in the Eastern Cape public sector.
• Thematic analysis was used to analyze interview data on service disruptions and adaptations.

Main Results:

• Four key themes emerged: disrupted access to O&P services, service backlogs, implementation of safety measures, and persistent challenges.
• Service delivery was hampered by suspended outreach programs, material shortages, budget shifts, and the lower priority given to rehabilitation.
• Medical Orthotists and Prosthetists faced significant hurdles in maintaining O&P service functionality.

Conclusions:

• The study underscores the profound challenges faced by O&P professionals in sustaining services during health emergencies.
• Findings highlight the critical need for robust, disability-inclusive policies to ensure the continuity of rehabilitation services.
• Effective emergency preparedness requires specific strategies to address the unique needs of persons with disabilities.