Facilitators and Barriers to Sustainable Global Rehabilitation Projects

The sustainability of projects addressing significant rehabilitation needs in lower-resource countries is considered one of the most critical outcomes of these initiatives. While some information is available from public health and medical projects on promoting sustainability, less evidence exists on facilitators and barriers to the sustainability of global rehabilitation development projects. Interviews with eleven medical and rehabilitation professionals, each with over 8 years of experience in global project development, contributed to the discussion of barriers and facilitators for sustainability with direct implications for occupational therapy practice and research. The presence of established professional standards was a distinctive facilitator, and disruptions from natural disasters and war were a distinctive barrier. An essential element of planning was the involvement of key local leaders and individuals in all phases of projects. The themes identified as facilitators are necessary for needs assessment, planning, and evaluation of global rehabilitation projects. Some barriers, such as establishing processes and procedures, developing personnel, and improving professional standards, can be addressed in longer-term projects However, other factors, such as securing long-term funding, obtaining government and health ministry support, and contending with natural disasters, pose greater challenges to sustainability.