Rehabilitation model to promote interprofessional practice at primary health care level in the Western Cape of South Africa

Abstract

Rehabilitation services at primary health care level in South Africa are considered as essential services for the disabled community. Currently there are challenges with implementation of rehabilitation services at community level in South Africa. Hence it is important to explore and identify gaps in rehabilitation services at primary level of care. This was a descriptive, explorative design using both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. Patients and service providers were purposively selected from selected community health centres. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively. Qualitative data were analysed and presented as themes. The majority of patients (n=365) interacted with only one rehabilitation professional and missed out on interdisciplinary team members. Twelve percent (12%) of the service providers did not ask permission to consult their patients. Patients were dissatisfied with rehabilitation service delivery. Patients were not happy with rehabilitation services and rehabilitation service providers did not focus on a patient-centred approach. The resultant recommended development of a rehabilitation model was based on the health care plan 2030 document that advocates for inclusion of strategies for clear access to rehabilitation services and rehabilitation interventions. Rehabilitation services will change from a therapist to a patient-centred approach and services will be viewed differently.