Barriers, Capacity, and Workforce Readiness for Geriatric Rehabilitation Services in Egypt (Geriatric)

Population aging is one of the most important demographic changes worldwide, with the number of people aged 60 years and older increasing rapidly. In Egypt, growing healthcare demands associated with aging require healthcare systems to expand and adapt rehabilitation services to address age-related conditions such as stroke, frailty, musculoskeletal disorders, falls, and chronic disease-related disability. Evidence indicates that geriatric rehabilitation can improve functional independence, reduce hospital readmissions, enhance quality of life, and decrease long-term healthcare costs. However, specialized geriatric rehabilitation services remain limited in many developing healthcare systems, including Egypt.

Previous studies have identified several barriers to effective geriatric rehabilitation, including insufficient workforce training, lack of specialized equipment and assistive technologies, inadequate awareness among patients and healthcare providers, financial constraints, and limited insurance coverage. Despite increasing demand for services, little national-level information exists regarding infrastructure, workforce readiness, service availability, and accessibility of geriatric rehabilitation services in Egypt. Most available evidence is institution-specific and does not provide a comprehensive overview of the national situation.

This study will employ a national cross-sectional survey design using a structured self-administered questionnaire. Eligible participants will include physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and rehabilitation center administrators or managers who are currently practicing in Egypt and involved in rehabilitation service delivery. The survey will be distributed through professional societies, university hospitals, private healthcare networks, and Ministry of Health rehabilitation facilities using a multi-channel recruitment strategy designed to achieve representation across geographic regions and healthcare sectors.

The questionnaire will assess five major domains: demographic and professional characteristics, clinical workload, geriatric rehabilitation capacity, barriers to service delivery, and workforce training and policy support. Specific areas of investigation will include workforce competencies, availability of rehabilitation programs, use of standardized assessment tools, adequacy of equipment and assistive technologies, accessibility of facilities, waiting times, geographical disparities, patient adherence challenges, financial barriers, policy awareness, and organizational collaboration.

A target sample of at least 370 completed responses will be sought to provide adequate statistical power and representativeness. Quantitative data will be analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods to identify differences across professional groups, healthcare sectors, and geographic regions. Qualitative responses will undergo thematic analysis to identify common perceptions and recommendations regarding service improvement.

The primary objective of the study is to systematically assess health system, workforce, infrastructural, and policy-related barriers affecting the accessibility and delivery of geriatric rehabilitation services in Egypt. Secondary objectives include evaluating workforce training and preparedness, assessing infrastructure and equipment availability, identifying urban-rural and public-private disparities in service provision, examining barriers to access and continuity of care, investigating policy and funding mechanisms, and identifying priority strategies for improving geriatric rehabilitation from the perspective of frontline rehabilitation professionals. The findings are expected to support evidence-based workforce planning, healthcare policy development, and strategic investment in geriatric rehabilitation services in Egypt.