Khalil H1, Nazzal M1, Hawamde Z2, Algwiri A2, Hadoush H3, Kanaan S3, Mahdawi K4, Hawamde M5, Jebril M5, Dawes H6, Lopes A7, Karauduman A8, On behalf of JUST-CRS working group -4
1Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), Rehabilitation Sciences, Irbid, Jordan, 2University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan, 3Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), Amman, Jordan, 4Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), Irbid, Jordan, 5Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan, 6Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, United Kingdom, 7ESSA, Lisbon, Portugal, 8Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
Background: In the Middle East, and particularly in Jordan, there is a great need of highly qualified professionals in rehabilitation sciences. This need is aggregated as the number of individuals with disabilities is on massive increase because of the civil wars in the neighbouring countries and the continuing flows of traumatized refugees. However, higher education in rehabilitation sciences is almost lacking in the region. Recognizing this need, the department of rehabilitation sciences within Jordan University of Science and Technology has planned to develop a master program in rehabilitation sciences. Clinical Rehabilitation Sciences master program (JUST-CRS) is a European funded project that targets establishment of an interdisciplinary master program in rehabilitation sciences in Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST). Before establishing such program, a situation analysis is warranted to establish a solid ground on the current status quo of rehabilitation professions and services. This can provide tremendous insights on the proper objectives of this newly prospective and highly anticipated master program.
Purpose: The aim of this report was to provide national rehabilitation priorities in Jordan to aid the development of the JUST-CRS program through need assessment of academic, research and clinical skills of Jordan and the region.
Methods: a survey of officials and therapists (n= 70) and 2) focus groups with graduates (n=5), academics (n=6) and employers (n=4) were conducted to
1) attain the level of the satisfaction of officials and therapists regarding the current situation of rehabilitation education in Jordan, and
2) determine the priorities in rehabilitation in Jordan that needs to be tackled. Focus groups were recorded and transcribed and were thematically analysed.
Results: about 76% of the respondents agreed that Jordanian rehabilitation education should be advanced by offering specialized postgraduate studies. The majority of participants agreed that having a master program would improve clinical competence (82%), hiring potentials (40%), and job advancement (59%) for rehabilitation professionals in Jordan. Challenges in the current rehabilitation profession in Jordan fell into 3 categories:
1) the weakness in the current undergraduate educational rehabilitation programs in Jordan,
2) the limited opportunities for continuous professional development, and
3) the current status of the rehabilitation professions in Jordan including lack of awareness among public and other health care professionals.
Participants agreed that establishment of postgraduate programs can be the corner stone to overcome several challenges that the rehabilitation professions face in Jordan. The proposed postgraduate program needs to address several deficits in the undergraduate education and should emphasise on aspects such as improving the leadership and advocacy skills that would enable the graduates to advance their profession in their positions and improving the skills to work effectively in interdisciplinary settings.
Conclusion(s): The establishment of postgraduate programs is very much needed and can be the corner stone to overcome several challenges that the rehabilitation professions face in Jordan and the region.
Implications: The establishment of a high quality post graduate programs in rehabilitation in Jordan may contribute to increase the quality of rehabilitation services provided in the region.
Keywords: Rehabilitation priorities, developing countries
Funding acknowledgements: Erasmus Plus European capacity Building in Higher Education Funding Program: Clinical Rehabilitation Sciences Master Program in Jordan
Purpose: The aim of this report was to provide national rehabilitation priorities in Jordan to aid the development of the JUST-CRS program through need assessment of academic, research and clinical skills of Jordan and the region.
Methods: a survey of officials and therapists (n= 70) and 2) focus groups with graduates (n=5), academics (n=6) and employers (n=4) were conducted to
1) attain the level of the satisfaction of officials and therapists regarding the current situation of rehabilitation education in Jordan, and
2) determine the priorities in rehabilitation in Jordan that needs to be tackled. Focus groups were recorded and transcribed and were thematically analysed.
Results: about 76% of the respondents agreed that Jordanian rehabilitation education should be advanced by offering specialized postgraduate studies. The majority of participants agreed that having a master program would improve clinical competence (82%), hiring potentials (40%), and job advancement (59%) for rehabilitation professionals in Jordan. Challenges in the current rehabilitation profession in Jordan fell into 3 categories:
1) the weakness in the current undergraduate educational rehabilitation programs in Jordan,
2) the limited opportunities for continuous professional development, and
3) the current status of the rehabilitation professions in Jordan including lack of awareness among public and other health care professionals.
Participants agreed that establishment of postgraduate programs can be the corner stone to overcome several challenges that the rehabilitation professions face in Jordan. The proposed postgraduate program needs to address several deficits in the undergraduate education and should emphasise on aspects such as improving the leadership and advocacy skills that would enable the graduates to advance their profession in their positions and improving the skills to work effectively in interdisciplinary settings.
Conclusion(s): The establishment of postgraduate programs is very much needed and can be the corner stone to overcome several challenges that the rehabilitation professions face in Jordan and the region.
Implications: The establishment of a high quality post graduate programs in rehabilitation in Jordan may contribute to increase the quality of rehabilitation services provided in the region.
Keywords: Rehabilitation priorities, developing countries
Funding acknowledgements: Erasmus Plus European capacity Building in Higher Education Funding Program: Clinical Rehabilitation Sciences Master Program in Jordan
Topic: Education; Education: continuing professional development
Ethics approval required: No
Institution: Jordan University of Science and Technology
Ethics committee: Jordan University of Science and Technology
Reason not required: Need assessment survey
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
