Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Physiopedia have been supporting rehabilitation professionals through developing and translating specific courses to address learning needs related to conditions associated with the conflict, thanks to funding from USAID.

Ukrainian rehabilitation professionals have highlighted a need for training in the management of specific conditions related to conflict such as traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injuries, amputee rehabilitation, burns and complex injuries. As part of ReLAB-HS and subsequently SRSHS, Physiopedia has responded to this need by providing rehabilitation professionals in Ukraine free access to Physiopedia Plus (Plus) online learning platform and by creating a series of online courses specifically related to the needs identified. In addition, to improve accessibility to the existing courses on Plus, a total 286 of the 740 courses on the platform have now been translated to Ukrainian, and the service has been integrated into the NHSU Academy with a recommendation from the Ministry of Health of Ukraine.

This provision is being extremely well used. Since the start of the conflict 4,668 individuals in Ukraine have created accounts and 38 rehabilitation organisations have adopted the platform for delivering training. Courses have been integrated into the update of multiple academic curricula and other more practical training initiatives.

The uptake has been impressive – individuals have participated in a total of 15,243 courses (669 different courses in English and Ukrainian) with an impressive 67% course completion rate. The professional demographic of course participants is 78% physiotherapists, 6% rehabilitation doctors, 4% occupational therapists and 12% other learners. Out of 729 courses available on Plus, courses related to basic rehabilitation techniques, ICF, spinal cord injury, amputee rehabilitation and others specific to conflict have attracted the most participation. Analysis of the course evaluation data demonstrates a huge enthusiasm for knowledge acquisition despite the challenging context.

Physiopedia are continuing to work on USAID-funded activities to translate and create courses to support learning in conflict-affected areas all over the world. If you are a rehabilitation professional in Ukraine please check out our online courses for you here.

These activities are organised by Physiopedia as part of the “Strengthening Rehabilitation Services in the Health Systems” (SRSHS) activity, implemented by the Momentum Wheels for Humanity, with the support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).”