Tiago S Jesus1,2, Michel D Landry3,4, Karen Jacobs2. 1. Global Health and Tropical Medicine and WHO Collaborating Center on Health Workforce Policy and Planning, Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, NOVA University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal. 2. Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Sargent College, Boston University, MA, USA. 3. School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA. 4. Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) that emerged in late 2019, and later become a global pandemic, has unleashed an almost unprecedented global public health and economic crisis. OBJECTIVE: In this perspective, we examine the effects of COVID-19 and identify a likely 'new normal' in terms of challenges and opportunities within the fields of disability, telework, and rehabilitation. METHODS: We use a systems thinking lens informed by recent empirical evidence and peer-reviewed qualitative accounts regarding the pandemic to identify emerging challenges, and pinpoint opportunities related to health and changing employment infrastructure of people with disabilities and rehabilitation professionals. RESULTS: From our interpretation, the key leverage points or opportunities include: (1) developing disability-inclusive public health responses and emergency preparedness; (2) enabling employment and telework opportunities for people with disabilities; (3) addressing the new requirements in rehabilitation service provision, including participating as essential team members in the care of people with infectious diseases such as COVID-19; (4) embracing the added emphasis on, and capacity for, telehealth; and (5) developing greater resilience, distance learning, and employability among the rehabilitation workforce. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic has become increasingly challenging to the lives of people with disabilities and rehabilitation professionals; however, key challenges can be minimized and opportunities can be capitalized upon in order to 'build back better' after COVID-19.
BACKGROUND: The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) that emerged in late 2019, and later become a global pandemic, has unleashed an almost unprecedented global public health and economic crisis. OBJECTIVE: In this perspective, we examine the effects of COVID-19 and identify a likely 'new normal' in terms of challenges and opportunities within the fields of disability, telework, and rehabilitation. METHODS: We use a systems thinking lens informed by recent empirical evidence and peer-reviewed qualitative accounts regarding the pandemic to identify emerging challenges, and pinpoint opportunities related to health and changing employment infrastructure of people with disabilities and rehabilitation professionals. RESULTS: From our interpretation, the key leverage points or opportunities include: (1) developing disability-inclusive public health responses and emergency preparedness; (2) enabling employment and telework opportunities for people with disabilities; (3) addressing the new requirements in rehabilitation service provision, including participating as essential team members in the care of people with infectious diseases such as COVID-19; (4) embracing the added emphasis on, and capacity for, telehealth; and (5) developing greater resilience, distance learning, and employability among the rehabilitation workforce. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic has become increasingly challenging to the lives of people with disabilities and rehabilitation professionals; however, key challenges can be minimized and opportunities can be capitalized upon in order to 'build back better' after COVID-19.
Entities:
Keywords:
COVID-19; People with disabilities; novel coronavirus; rehabilitation services; telehealth
Authors: Ardvin Kester S Ong; Yogi Tri Prasetyo; Fae Coleen Lagura; Rochelle Nicole Ramos; Jose Ma Luis Salazar; Keenan Mark Sigua; Jomy Anne Villas; Thanatorn Chuenyindee; Reny Nadlifatin; Satria Fadil Persada; Kriengkrai Thana Journal: Public Health Pract (Oxf) Date: 2022-07-19
Authors: Sureshkumar Kamalakannan; Sutanuka Bhattacharjya; Yelena Bogdanova; Christina Papadimitriou; Juan Carlos Arango-Lasprilla; Jacob Bentley; Tiago S Jesus Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-04-20 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Tiago S Jesus; Sureshkumar Kamalakannan; Sutanuka Bhattacharjya; Yelena Bogdanova; Juan Carlos Arango-Lasprilla; Jacob Bentley; Michel D Landry; Christina Papadimitriou Journal: Int J Equity Health Date: 2021-09-14
Authors: Tiago S Jesus; Sutanuka Bhattacharjya; Christina Papadimitriou; Yelena Bogdanova; Jacob Bentley; Juan Carlos Arango-Lasprilla; Sureshkumar Kamalakannan Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-06-08 Impact factor: 3.390