A call for development: neurorehabilitation services

Abstract

Physical medicine and rehabilitation focuses on the management of medical and functional consequences of disease and injury including relief of pain. The aging of populations worldwide presents an impending need for expansion of specialized healthcare services including neurorehabilitation. Stroke is a common neurological disease associated with aging, and resulted in 113 million Disability Adjusted Life Years lost worldwide in 2013. The medical rehabilitation team is well suited to manage the different aspects of disability and functioning, with significant benefits in terms of quality of life, societal and financial returns. Neurorehabilitation capacity building is important, along with establishment of standards for training, credentialing, accreditation, and continuing professional education.

Keywords

physical medicine and rehabilitation / physiatry / aging / stroke / capacity-building / education / training