"What standard should we set?": A qualitative study of rehabilitation professionals' perspectives on rehabilitation needs after traumatic injuries.

Abstract

To assess rehabilitation professionals' perspectives on unmet rehabilitation needs in patients with traumatic injuries and how to bridge the gap between met and unmet needs. Semi-structured focus-group interviews analysed using a reflexive thematic approach. Eighteen strategically sampled health professionals (67% female, aged 27-56 years) from specialist and community-based rehabilitation services in Northern and South-Eastern Norway were interviewed regarding their perspectives on alignment of current rehabilitation services with patient needs, reasons for misalignment, and potential service improvements. Care continuity and multidisciplinary collaboration was identified as essential for high-quality rehabilitation services. Unmet needs were noted in community-based services for cognitive and mental health support, as well as financial assistance for patients. Health professionals faced challenges prioritizing patient needs and expressed frustration with not being able to provide legally mandated services. Contributing factors included insufficient resources, lack of competency standards, and weak organizational structure. Suggested improvements were early rehabilitation assessments and stronger collaboration between specialist and community services. Strengthening community-based rehabilitation for traumatic injuries requires establishing professional competency standards, stronger coordination across care levels, and greater integration of psychosocial support. Advancing these dimensions calls for critical reflection on clinical practice, service organization, and health policy.