Abstract Background: Rehabilitation is a key strategy for enhancing the quality of life, yet the magnitude of unmet needs and the factors influencing the demand for these services remain under-researched in many settings. This study aimed to assess the perceived need for rehabilitation services, their determinants and perceived barriers amongst patients attending a tertiary care hospital in the National Capital Region, India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted amongst 400 participants. Data were collected through a pretested structured interview schedule covering socio-demographics, functional limitations and a qualitative assessment of barriers and service preferences. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square test to determine the associations. P ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Of 400 participants, 40.8% ( n = 163) reported a perceived need for rehabilitation services. Older age ( P = 0.011), female sex ( P = 0.021) and lower educational status ( P < 0.001) were significantly associated with higher perceived need. Functional difficulty in performing daily activities showed the strongest association ( P < 0.001). Amongst identified barriers, ‘lack of information’ was most frequently reported (58.8%), far exceeding financial constraints (6.5%). Most participants preferred hospital-based rehabilitation services (74.8%) and favoured public awareness campaigns (52.0%) as their preferred mode of receiving information. Conclusion: The study highlights a substantial demand for rehabilitation services, particularly amongst vulnerable populations such as the elderly, women and those with lower socioeconomic status. The findings suggest that perceived need is driven more by functional impairment and service awareness than by clinical diagnosis alone. Strengthening awareness campaigns and ensuring equitable access for marginalised groups are critical strategies to address this issue.
Ranga et al. (Mon,) studied this question.