Community Based Rehabilitation Model for Individuals with War-Related Disabilities: Could This Work in the United States?

Background:  Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) was created by the World Health Organization in 1978 to assist developing countries in caring for individuals with disabilities.  This initiative involves community, family, and professionals providing rehabilitation, socialization, and education to improve quality of life. 

Methods:   The Veterans Administration estimates that over 2 million troops have a service-related disability since 2003, and most will be involved in some type of disability- related rehabilitation.  Considering many of the troops live in rural regions throughout the United States, could this concept be utilized to facilitate their rehabilitation?  

 

Results:  The medical home is a primary care philosophy endorsed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (2007) to provide primary care that is patient-centered, comprehensive, team-based, coordinated, and accessible.  This concept includes an interdisciplinary team of healthcare professionals to develop and implement care for the individual, disenfranchising family and community involvement that may impact long-term sustainable outcomes. Developing an inclusive healthcare program based on the principles of community based rehabilitation may benefit the disabled by minimizing further morbidity and enhancing societal integration.  

Conclusions:   Community based rehabilitation has been practiced in developing countries for three decades and could provide alternative interventions for industrialized nations where resources are limited in provided long-term rehabilitation programs.  These efforts could benefit people with disabilities residing in rural regions throughout the United States to minimize further functional limitations as well as provide socialization that may enhance quality of life.