Strengthening rehabilitation research and evidence

Epidemiological research is critical for the rehabilitation sector, as it provides data and information on health and functioning outcomes, including trends and risk factors, finds gaps and priorities, and guides policy decisions and investment. Data, such as the evidence compiled by WHO/Europe that 2 in 5 people have a condition that could benefit from rehabilitation, can serve as a catalyst for dialogue and actions towards strengthening services, and direct specific attention towards the conditions driving the need.

Much of the current rehabilitation research focuses on clinical evidence and outcomes, but there is also a growing body of rehabilitation research that focuses on broader health policy and health systems. Both research perspectives are equally important and provide complementary insights for the rehabilitation sector.

The ultimate goal of rehabilitation research is to ensure that rehabilitation is evidence-based and achieves the best possible health and functioning outcomes for those needing rehabilitation. The work of WHO/Europe focuses on guiding the direction of rehabilitation research and strengthening research capacity within the sector. Furthermore, WHO/Europe directly commissions, facilitates and oversees research projects and academic collaborations in the Region to produce innovative and multicountry research, particularly in countries underrepresented in the scientific literature, and in areas where data gaps exist.