A universal framework to evaluate community-based rehabilitation interventions

Community-based rehabilitation (CBR) aims to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities by promoting social inclusion and equal opportunities. Despite its widespread use, there is no standardised framework to evaluate CBR interventions, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This gap limits the ability to assess programme effectiveness and inform policy and practice. This study aimed to develop and pilot a universal evaluation framework for CBR interventions. A pragmatic, multi-method approach was used across four phases. Phase One involved a scoping review to explore existing CBR evaluation frameworks. Phase Two was a systematised review to identify suitable generic patient-reported outcome measures (GPROMs). Phase Three employed a Delphi study to achieve expert consensus on GPROMs and refine the framework. Phase Four piloted the framework in an LMIC setting to assess feasibility. Thematic analysis was conducted on qualitative data from the reviews and pilot study. The Delphi study involved iterative rounds of quantitative and qualitative analysis to establish expert consensus. The scoping review identified a lack of standardised frameworks, and the systematised review highlighted several relevant GPROMs. The Delphi study reached consensus on integrating selected GPROMs into the framework. Pilot testing confirmed the framework’s feasibility, adaptability, and relevance in resource-limited settings. The findings highlight the need for a standardised yet adaptable framework to assess CBR outcomes effectively. The developed framework addresses current gaps by offering consistency and contextual flexibility. This study contributes to the development of a universal CBR evaluation framework, with the potential to improve programme assessment, inform policy, and enhance practice in LMICs.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of the Western Cape

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Manig, Sarah

• Community-Based
• Rehabilitation
• General Patient-Reported Outcome Measures
• Evaluation Framework
• Toolkit

Licence

• https://uwcscholar.uwc.ac.za/bitstreams/136c1724-789f-47bf-a053-f7d46e12b714/download