Integrated approaches to advancing rehabilitation in primary healthcare in Bangladesh: A narrative review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3329/bsmmuj.v19i2.87774Keywords:
rehabilitation, primary health care, BRICS, telemedicine, World Health Organization Rehabilitation 2030Abstract
Background: Rehabilitation is a core component of universal health coverage, yet it remains inadequately integrated into primary healthcare systems in many low- and middle-income countries, limiting early intervention, functional recovery, and long-term quality of life. This study aims to explore global models and innovative strategies for strengthening the integration of rehabilitation into primary healthcare in Bangladesh to inform context-appropriate policy and service reforms.
Methods: A narrative review was conducted using a structured literature search of major bibliographic databases (Sciverse Scopus, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library) and World Health Organization institutional repositories for literature published between 2014 and 2025. The search terms covered rehabilitation integration, primary healthcare, health system strengthening, and technological innovations. Studies from global and low- and middle-income countries were prioritised. Study selection and screening followed a structured selection process, and the included studies were thematically synthesized to develop a context-specific framework for Bangladesh.
Results: Physical disabilities represent a significant share of rehabilitation needs; however, access to and the quality of available rehabilitation services remain limited. In Bangladesh, service provision is primarily influenced by three factors: inadequate physical infrastructure, shortages of trained personnel, and insufficient financing, which contribute to the concentration of services in urban areas. Although community-based rehabilitation initiatives have demonstrated improved service reach and acceptability, the integration of physical and mental health rehabilitation within primary healthcare remains limited. International experiences, including Chile’s comprehensive rehabilitation system and selected models from the Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa countries, highlight effective approaches to integrating rehabilitation into primary healthcare. Technological applications, particularly telerehabilitation and other low-cost digital platforms, have the potential to expand access to services.
Conclusion: Strengthening rehabilitation in Bangladesh’s primary health care requires integrating basic services, training health workers, and establishing referral pathways, alongside expanding low-cost digital and community-based care to improve access in underserved areas.
Downloads
4
0 PDF
1 Review report
1
References
Nas K, Yazmalar L, Şah V, Aydin A, Öneş K. Rehabilitation of spinal cord injuries. World J Orthop 2015;6:8–16. doi: https://doi.org/10.5312/wjo.v6.i1.8
Mishra S, Gosling J, Laplante-Lévesque A, Zapata T, Azzopardi Muscat N. The need for rehabilitation services in the WHO European region is substantial and growing. Lancet Reg Heal- Eur 2023;24:100550. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2022.101537
Turcotte PL, Larivière N, Desrosiers J, Voyer P, Champoux N, Carbonneau H, Carrier A, Levasseur M. Participation needs of older adults having disabilities and receiving home care: met needs mainly concern daily activities, while unmet needs mostly involve social activities. BMC Geriatr. 2015 Aug 1;15:95. doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-015-0077-1
Briggs AM, Dreinhöfer KE. Rehabilitation 2030: A Call to Action Relevant to Improving Musculoskeletal Health Care Globally. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2017;47:297–300. doi: https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2017.0105
Cieza A, Causey K, Kamenov K, Hanson SW, Chatterji S, Vos T. Global estimates of the need for rehabilitation based on the Global Burden of Disease study 2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Lancet 2020;396:2006–2017. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(20)32340-0
Umucu E, Vernon AA, Pan D, Qin S, Solis G, Campa R, Lee B. Health inequities among persons with disabilities: a global scoping review. Front Public Health. 2025 Feb 10;13:1538519. doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1538519
Mitra S, Sambamoorthi U. Disability prevalence among adults: estimates for 54 countries and progress toward a global estimate. Disabil Rehabil 2014;36:940–947. doi: https://doi.org/10.3109/09638288.2013.825333
Moniruzzaman M, Zaman MM, Mashreky SR, Rahman AKMF. Prevalence of disability in Manikganj district of Bangladesh: results from a large-scale cross-sectional survey. BMJ Open 2016;6. doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2015-010207
Islam FM, Bhowmik JL, Islam SZ, Renzaho AM, Hiller JE. Factors Associated with Disability in Rural Bangladesh: Bangladesh Population-Based Diabetes and Eye Study (BPDES). PLoS One. 2016 Dec 9;11(12):e0165625. doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0165625
Jesus TS, Koh G, Landry M, Ong PH, Lopes AM, Green PL, Hoenig H. Finding the "Right-Size" Physical Therapy Workforce: International Perspective Across 4 Countries. Phys Ther. 2016 Oct;96(10):1597-1609. doi: https://doi.org/10.2522/ptj.20160014
Kamenov K, Mills JA, Chatterji S, Cieza A. Needs and unmet needs for rehabilitation services: a scoping review. Disabil Rehabil 2019;41:1227–1237. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2017.1422036
The Lancet. Prioritising disability in universal health coverage. Lancet 2019;394:187. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(19)31638-1
Negrini S, Kiekens C, Heinemann AW, Özçakar L, Frontera WR. Prioritising people with disabilities implies furthering rehabilitation. Lancet (London, England) 2020;395:111. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(19)32623-6
Seijas V, Hrzic KM, Neculhueque XZ, Sabariego C. Improving Access to and Coverage of Rehabilitation Services through the Implementation of Rehabilitation in Primary Health Care: A Case Study from Chile. Heal Syst Reform 2023;9. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/23288604.2023.2242114
Narváez F, Marín-Castrillón DM, Cuenca MC, Latta MA. Development and implementation of technologies for physical telerehabilitation in Latin America: a systematic review of literature, programs and projects. TecnoLógicas. 2017 Dec;20(40):155-76. doi: https://doi.org/10.22430/22565337.721
Musabyemariya I, Andegiorgish AK. Strengthening rehabilitation in the health system in Rwanda: factors contributing to the adoption of the world health organization’s guide to strengthen rehabilitation in health systems. Disabil Rehabil 2025;47. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2025.2483471
Kumurenzi A, Richardson J, Thabane L, Kagwiza J, Musabyemariya I, Bosch J. Provision and use of physical rehabilitation services for adults with disabilities in Rwanda: A descriptive study. African J Disabil 2022;11:1004. doi: https://doi.org/10.4102/ajod.v11i0.1004
Mactaggart I, Kuper H, Murthy GVS, Sagar J, Oye J, Polack S. Assessing health and rehabilitation needs of people with disabilities in Cameroon and India. Disabil Rehabil 2016;38:1757–1764. doi: https://doi.org/10.3109/09638288.2015.1107765
Vasanthan L, Natarajan SK, Babu A, Kamath MS, Kamalakannan S. Digital health interventions for improving access to primary care in India: A scoping review. PLOS Glob Public Heal 2024;4. doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0002645
da Silva DB, dos Santos Sixel TR, de Almeida Medeiros A, dos Santos Mota PH, Bousquat A, Schmitt ACB. The workforce for rehabilitation in primary health care in Brazil. Hum Resour Health 2021;19. doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12960-021-00669-x
Maseko L, Myezwa H, Benjamin-Damons N, Franzsen D, Adams F. Service guidelines, models, and protocols for integrating rehabilitation services in primary healthcare in Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa: a scoping review. Disabil Rehabil 2024;46:5144–5157. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2023.2290210
Christophers L, Torok Z, Trayer A, Hong GCC, Carroll A. Interdisciplinary teamworking in rehabilitation: experiences of change initiators in a national rehabilitation hospital. BMC Health Serv Res 2025;25:651. doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-12795-6
Tediosi F, Finch A, Procacci C, Marten R, Missoni E. BRICS countries and the global movement for universal health coverage. Health Policy Plan 2016;31:717–728. doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/heapol/czv122
El Kout NARH, Pilusa S, Masuku KD. A review of the framework and strategy for disability and rehabilitation services in South Africa. African J Disabil 2022;11. doi: https://doi.org/10.4102/ajod.v11i0.893
Lieketseng N, Cloete L, Mji G. The experiences and challenges faced by rehabilitation community service therapists within the South African Primary Healthcare health system. African Journal of Disability. 2017 Jan 1;6(1):1-1. doi: https://doi.org/10.4102/ajod.v6i0.311
Oshomoji OI, Ajiroba JO, Semudara SO, Olayemi MA. Tele-rehabilitation in African rural areas: a systematic review. Bull Fac Phys Ther 2024 291 2024;29:89-. doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/S43161-024-00256-W
Zhang WW, Speare S, Churilov L, Thuy M, Donnan G, Bernhardt J. Stroke rehabilitation in China: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Stroke 2014;9:494–502. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/ijs.12029
Hu L, Glavin YW, Yan R, Pei C, Yan M, Zhang Y, Liu Y. Integrating Health and Care in China: Lessons Learned and Future Outlook. Int J Integr Care. 2021 Nov 8;21(4):18. doi: https://doi.org/10.5334/ijic.5681
Sheiman I, Shevski V. Evaluation of health care delivery integration: the case of the Russian Federation. Health Policy 2014;115:128–37. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthpol.2013.12.011
Socha-Dietrich K. Empowering the health workforce to make the most of the digital revolution. OECD Heal Work Pap 2021. doi: https://doi.org/10.1787/37ff0eaa-en
Bhavnani SP, Parakh K, Atreja A, Druz R, Graham GN, Hayek SS, Krumholz HM, Maddox TM, Majmudar MD, Rumsfeld JS, Shah BR. 2017 Roadmap for Innovation-ACC Health Policy Statement on Healthcare Transformation in the Era of Digital Health, Big Data, and Precision Health: A Report of the American College of Cardiology Task Force on Health Policy Statements and Systems of Care. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2017 Nov 28;70(21):2696-2718. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2017.10.018
Bokolo AJ. Application of telemedicine and eHealth technology for clinical services in response to COVID‑19 pandemic. Health Technol (Berl) 2021;11:359–366. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12553-020-00516-4
Peretti A, Amenta F, Tayebati SK, Nittari G, Mahdi SS. Telerehabilitation: Review of the State-of-the-Art and Areas of Application. JMIR Rehabil Assist Technol 2017;4. doi: https://doi.org/10.2196/rehab.7511
Sarfo FS, Ulasavets U, Opare-Sem OK, Ovbiagele B. Tele-Rehabilitation after Stroke: An Updated Systematic Review of the Literature. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis 2018;27:2306–2318. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2018.05.013
Ferraris C, Nerino R, Chimienti A, Pettiti G, Pianu D, Albani G, Azzaro C, Contin L, Cimolin V, Mauro A. Remote monitoring and rehabilitation for patients with neurological diseases. BODYNETS 2014 - 9th Int Conf Body Area Networks 2014:76–82. doi: https://doi.org/10.4108/icst.bodynets.2014.257005
Chang MC, Boudier-Revéret M. Usefulness of Telerehabilitation for Stroke Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2020;99:582. doi: https://doi.org/10.1097/phm.0000000000001468
Doiron-Cadrin P, Kairy D, Vendittoli PA, Lowry V, Poitras S, Desmeules F. Feasibility and preliminary effects of a tele-prehabilitation program and an in-person prehablitation program compared to usual care for total hip or knee arthroplasty candidates: a pilot randomized controlled trial. Disabil Rehabil 2020;42:989–998. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2018.1515992
Gómez-Gastiasoro A, Peña J, Ibarretxe-Bilbao N, Lucas-Jiménez O, Díez-Cirarda M, Rilo O, Montoya-Murillo G, Zubiaurre-Elorza L, Ojeda N. A Neuropsychological Rehabilitation Program for Cognitive Impairment in Psychiatric and Neurological Conditions: A Review That Supports Its Efficacy. Behav Neurol. 2019 Oct 21;2019:4647134. doi: https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/4647134
Tan BL, Shi J, Yang S, Loh H, Ng D, Choo C, Medalia A. The use of virtual reality and augmented reality in psychosocial rehabilitation for adults with neurodevelopmental disorders: A systematic review. Front Psychiatry. 2022 Dec 14;13:1055204. doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1055204
Wlodarczyk JR, Wolfswinkel EM, Carey JN. Coronavirus 2019 Video Conferencing: Preserving Resident Education with Online Meeting Platforms. Plast Reconstr Surg 2020;146:110e-111e. doi: https://doi.org/10.1097/prs.0000000000007073
Buonocunto P, Giantomassi A, Marinoni M, Calvaresi D, Buttazzo G. A limb tracking platform for tele-rehabilitation. ACM Trans Cyber-Physical Syst 2018;2:1–23. doi: https://doi.org/10.1145/3148225
Chen YP, Lin CY, Tsai MJ, Chuang TY, Lee OKS. Wearable Motion Sensor Device to Facilitate Rehabilitation in Patients With Shoulder Adhesive Capsulitis: Pilot Study to Assess Feasibility. J Med Internet Res 2020;22. doi: https://doi.org/10.2196/17032
Dicianno BE, Parmanto B, Fairman AD, Crytzer TM, Yu DX, Pramana G, Coughenour D, Petrazzi AA. Perspectives on the evolution of mobile (mHealth) technologies and application to rehabilitation. Phys Ther. 2015 Mar;95(3):397-405. doi: https://doi.org/10.2522/ptj.20130534
Kheirinejad S, Visuri A, Suryanarayana SA, Hosio S. Exploring mHealth applications for self-management of chronic low back pain: A survey of features and benefits. Heliyon 2023;9. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16586
Sumner J, Lim HW, Chong LS, Bundele A, Mukhopadhyay A, Kayambu G. Artificial intelligence in physical rehabilitation: A systematic review. Artif Intell Med 2023;146. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.artmed.2023.102693
Ciecierski-Holmes T, Singh R, Axt M, Brenner S, Barteit S. Artificial intelligence for strengthening healthcare systems in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic scoping review. Npj Digit Med 2022 51 2022;5:162. doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41746-022-00700-y
Marrugo JJ, Piñeros JM, Rincon EH. Evidence on the utility of artificial intelligence in the interpretation of diagnostic radiological images in low and middle-income countries: a scoping review. Academic Radiology. 2025 Nov 25. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acra.2025.11.012
Nicora G, Pe S, Santangelo G, Billeci L, Aprile IG, Germanotta M. A Systematic Review of Machine Learning in Robotics-Assisted Rehabilitation 2024. doi: https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-4674885/V1
Banyai AD, Brișan C. Robotics in Physical Rehabilitation: Systematic Review. Healthc 2024;12. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/HEALTHCARE12171720
Banyai AD, Brișan C. Robotics in Physical Rehabilitation: Systematic Review. Healthcare 2024;12:1720. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12171720
Boman K, Olofsson M, Berggren P, Sengupta PP, Narula J. Robot-assisted remote echocardiographic examination and teleconsultation: A randomized comparison of time to diagnosis with standard of care referral approach. JACC Cardiovasc Imaging 2014;7:799–803. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcmg.2014.05.006
Modern rehabilitation technologies in the field of health. Nauk Zap Berdânsʹkogo Deržavnogo Pedagog Unìversitetu 2022;1:370–378. doi: https://doi.org/10.31494/2412-9208-2022-1-3-370-378
Chen Y, Abel KT, Janecek JT, Chen Y, Zheng K, Cramer SC. Home-based Technologies for Stroke Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review. Int J Med Inform 2018;123:11. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2018.12.001
Mehrholz J, Pohl M, Platz T, Kugler J, Elsner B. Electromechanical and robot-assisted arm training for improving activities of daily living, arm function, and arm muscle strength after stroke. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2018;9. doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd006876.pub5
Aramaki AL, Sampaio RF, Reis ACS, Cavalcanti A, E Dutra FCMS. Virtual reality in the rehabilitation of patients with stroke: an integrative review. Arq Neuropsiquiatr 2019;77:268–278. doi: https://doi.org/10.1590/0004-282X20190025
Liu Y, Zhang Q, Li W. Enhancing lower-limb rehabilitation: a scoping review of augmented reality environment. J NeuroEngineering Rehabil 2025 221 2025;22:114-. doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/S12984-025-01643-7
Zhang Q, Fu Y, Lu Y, Zhang Y, Huang Q, Yang Y, Zhang K, Li M. Impact of Virtual Reality-Based Therapies on Cognition and Mental Health of Stroke Patients: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. J Med Internet Res. 2021 Nov 17;23(11):e31007. doi: https://doi.org/10.2196/31007
Marín-Medina DS, Arenas-Vargas PA, Arias-Botero JC, Gómez-Vásquez M, Jaramillo-López MF, Gaspar-Toro JM. New approaches to recovery after stroke. Neurol Sci 2024;45:55–63. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-023-07012-3
Pearce L, Costa N, Sherrington C, Hassett L. Implementation of digital health interventions in rehabilitation: A scoping review. Clin Rehabil 2023;37:1533–1551. doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/02692155231172299
Jarvis K, Thetford C, Turck E, Ogley K, Stockley RC. Understanding the Barriers and Facilitators of Digital Health Technology (DHT) Implementation in Neurological Rehabilitation: An Integrative Systematic Review. Health Serv Insights 2024;17:11786329241229917. doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/11786329241229917
Hamid SA, Begum A. Responsiveness of the urban primary health care delivery system in Bangladesh: A comparative analysis. Int J Health Plann Manage 2019;34:251–62. doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/HPM.2626
Torsha N, Rahman FN, Hossain MS, Chowdhury HA, Kim M, Rahman SMM, et al. Disability-friendly healthcare at public health facilities in Bangladesh: a mixed-method study to explore the existing situation. BMC Health Serv Res 2022;22:1178. doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/S12913-022-08538-6
Sarker T, Xie W, Ahsan A, Atker F, Hossain MM, Anan A, et al. The Readiness of Primary Healthcare Facilities to Address Noncommunicable Diseases in Rural Bangladesh 2025. doi: https://doi.org/10.21203/RS.3.RS-7977902/V1
WHO. Assistance and support. WORLD Rep Disabil 2011:135–65. Available at: https://www.who.int/teams/noncommunicable-diseases/sensory-functions-disability-and-rehabilitation/world-report-on-disability. [Accessed on 28 Mar 2026]
Khan F, Amatya B, Sayed TM, Butt AW, Jamil K, Iqbal W, Elmalik A, Rathore FA, Abbott G. World Health Organisation Global Disability Action Plan 2014-2021: Challenges and perspectives for physical medicine and rehabilitation in Pakistan. J Rehabil Med. 2017 Jan 19;49(1):10-21. doi: https://doi.org/10.2340/16501977-2149
Uddin T, Islam MT, Rathore FA, O’Connell C. Disability and Rehabilitation Medicine in Bangladesh. J Int Soc Phys Rehabil Med 2019;2:168–177. doi: https://doi.org/10.4103/jisprm.jisprm_61_19
Zhou Ayoungman F, Shawon AH, Islam MS, Kalam A. A study on the effectiveness of sustainable structure of emerging social enterprises to eradicate impoverishment: the rehabilitation paradigm in bangladesh. Russ Law J 2023;11:4. doi: https://doi.org/10.52783/rlj.v11i4s.868
Koly KN, Abdullah R, Shammi FA, Akter T, Hasan MT, Eaton J, Ryan GK. Mental Health and Community-Based Rehabilitation: A Qualitative Description of the Experiences and Perspectives of Service Users and Carers in Bangladesh. Community Ment Health J. 2022 Jan;58(1):52-66. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-021-00790-0
Fosse RM, Ambugo EA, Moger TA, Hagen TP, Tjerbo T. Does rehabilitation setting influence risk of institutionalization? A register-based study of hip fracture patients in Oslo, Norway. BMC Health Serv Res 2021;21. doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-06703-x
Seijas V, Hrzic KM, Neculhueque XZ, Sabariego C. Improving Access to and Coverage of Rehabilitation Services through the Implementation of Rehabilitation in Primary Health Care: A Case Study from Chile. Heal Syst Reform 2023;9. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/23288604.2023.2242114
Watson ED, Moosa S, Janse Van Rensburg DC, Schwellnus M, Lambert E V., Stoutenberg M. Task-Shifting: Can Community Health Workers Be Part of the Solution to an Inactive Nation? Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023;20:6675. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20176675
Charumbira MY, Kaseke F, Conradie T, Berner K, Louw QA. A qualitative study on rehabilitation services at primary health care: insights from primary health care stakeholders in low-resource contexts. BMC Health Serv Res 2024;24. doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-11748-9
García TP, Garabal-Barbeira J, Trillo PP, Figueira OV, Díaz CN, Loureiro JP. A Framework for a New Approach to Empower Users Through Low-Cost and Do-It-Yourself Assistive Technology. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021;18:1–17. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18063039
Ganapathy K, Reddy S. Technology enabled remote healthcare in public private partnership mode: A story from india. Telemedicine, Telehealth Telepresence Princ Strateg Appl New Dir 2020:197–233. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-56917-4_14
Heine M, Derman W, Hanekom S. Rethinking Scale-Up of Rehabilitation for Chronic Disease in Low-Resource Settings: Embracing Complexity for Contextual Impact. Glob Heart 2024;19:76. doi: https://doi.org/10.5334/gh.1360
Aubrey-Basler K, Bursey K, Pike A, Penney C, Furlong B, Howells M, Al-Obaid H, Rourke J, Asghari S, Hall A. Interventions to improve primary healthcare in rural settings: A scoping review. PLoS One. 2024 Jul 11;19(7):e0305516. doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0305516
Rauch A, Negrini S, Cieza A. Toward Strengthening Rehabilitation in Health Systems: Methods Used to Develop a WHO Package of Rehabilitation Interventions. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2019;100:2205–2211. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2019.06.002
Shelton RC, Cooper BR, Stirman SW. The Sustainability of Evidence-Based Interventions and Practices in Public Health and Health Care. Annu Rev Public Health 2018;39:55–76. doi: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-publhealth-040617-014731
Marrugo JJ, Piñeros JM, Rincon EH. Evidence on the utility of artificial intelligence in the interpretation of diagnostic radiological images in low and middle-income countries: a scoping review. Academic Radiology. 2025 Nov 25. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acra.2025.11.012
Sumner J, Lim HW, Chong LS, Bundele A, Mukhopadhyay A, Kayambu G. Artificial intelligence in physical rehabilitation: A systematic review. Artif Intell Med 2023;146. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.artmed.2023.102693
Krug E, Cieza A. Strengthening health systems to provide rehabilitation services. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med 2017;53:153–154. doi: https://doi.org/10.23736/s1973-9087.17.04728-1
Gimigliano F, Negrini S. The World Health Organization “Rehabilitation 2030: a call for action.” Eur J Phys Rehabil Med 2017;53:155–68. doi: https://doi.org/10.23736/s1973-9087.17.04746-3
Power J, McVeigh J, Gilmore B, MacLachlan M. Opportunities for human resources for health and rehabilitation: a response to Jesus et al. Hum Resour Health. 2017 Sep 30;15(1):73. doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12960-017-0244-x
Iemmi V, Kumar KS, Blanchet K, Gibson L, Hartley S, Murthy GVS. Community‐based rehabilitation for people with physical and mental disabilities in low‐ and middle‐income countries. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2017;2017:CD010617. doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd010617.pub2
Al Imam MH, Jahan I, Das MC, Bashar SMK, Khan A, Muhit M, Power R, Akbar D, Badawi N, Khandaker G. SUpporting People in extreme POverty with Rehabilitation and Therapy (SUPPORT CP): A trial among families of children with cerebral palsy in Bangladesh. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2023 Jun;65(6):773-782. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/dmcn.15445
Diaz FH, Borrás Pinilla C, García Cena CE. Exploring Robotic Technologies for Upper Limb Rehabilitation: Current Status and Future Directions. J Sens Actuator Networks 2025;14. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/JSAN14030048
Dhakal R, Baniya M, Solomon RM, Rana C, Ghimire P, Hariharan R, Makower SG, Meng W, Halpin S, Xie SQ, O'Connor RJ, Allsop MJ, Sivan M. TEleRehabilitation Nepal (TERN) for People With Spinal Cord Injury and Acquired Brain Injury: A Feasibility Study. Rehabil Process Outcome. 2022 Oct 18;11:11795727221126070. doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/11795727221126070
Kim T, Zuckerman JE. Realizing the potential of telemedicine in global health. J Glob Health 2019;9:020307. doi: https://doi.org/10.7189/jogh.09.020307
Nicora G, Parimbelli E, Mauro MC, Falchini F, Germanotta M, Fasano A, Sgandurra G, Beani E, Gruppioni E, Bugané F, Aprile IG, Quaglini S; Mission 1 Fit4MedRob Consortium. Healthcare practitioners and robotic-assisted rehabilitation: understanding needs and barriers. J Neuroeng Rehabil. 2025 Apr 9;22(1):78. doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-025-01593-0
Radhakrishna MH, Ravindran V. How to Practice Academic Medicine and Publish from Developing Countries? A Practical Guide. Indian J Rheumatol 2022;17:222–3. doi: https://doi.org/10.4103/injr.injr_2_22
Wong D, Pike K, Stolwyk R, Allott K, Ponsford J, McKay A, Longley W, Bosboom P, Hodge A, Kinsella G, Mowszowski L. Delivery of Neuropsychological Interventions for Adult and Older Adult Clinical Populations: An Australian Expert Working Group Clinical Guidance Paper. Neuropsychol Rev. 2024 Dec;34(4):985-1047. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11065-023-09624-0
Del Pino R, Díez-Cirarda M, Ustarroz-Aguirre I, Gonzalez-Larragan S, Caprino M, Busnatu S, Gand K, Schlieter H, Gabilondo I, Gómez-Esteban JC. Costs and effects of telerehabilitation in neurological and cardiological diseases: A systematic review. Front Med (Lausanne). 2022 Nov 29;9:832229. doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2022.832229/FULL
Hasan MZ, Mehdi GG, Tisha KI, Rabbani MG, Ahmed MW, Paul S, Islam Z, Mahmood SS. Costs of outpatient services at selected primary healthcare centers in Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study. PLoS One. 2025 Jan 14;20(1):e0317317. doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0317317
Daniels K, Fitzhugh H, Nooraya R. Implementing employability interventions for workers with health conditions: A systematic review. Soc Sci Med 2025;385. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2025.118597
Ubalaeze S E, Kelechi W E, Erere G O, Chinemerem D A, Chioma S N. The Impact of Digital Transformation on Healthcare Delivery in Nigeria: Challenges and Recommendations. Int J Res Sci Innov 2024;XI:498–509. doi: https://doi.org/10.51244/ijrsi.2024.11150035p
Amaechi O, Anaya YB. A Workforce to Care for All. Fam Med 2025;57:151–152. doi: https://doi.org/10.22454/fammed.2025.493680
Shinners L, Aggar C, Stephens A, Grace S. Healthcare professionals’ experiences and perceptions of artificial intelligence in regional and rural health districts in Australia. Aust J Rural Health 2023;31:1203–13. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/ajr.13045
Das S, Grant L, Fernandes G. Task shifting healthcare services in the post-COVID world: A scoping review. PLOS Glob Public Heal 2023;3:e0001712. doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0001712
Orton M, Agarwal S, Muhoza P, Vasudevan L, Vu A. Strengthening Delivery of Health Services Using Digital Devices. Glob Heal Sci Pract 2018;6:S61–S71. doi: https://doi.org/10.9745/ghsp-d-18-00229
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Anwar Parvez, Foysal Hasan Nahid, Md. Musfiqur Rahaman, Golam Fardin Rabby, Md. Zakir Hossain, Md A K Azad
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
