Burden of diseases and disease trends in the rehabilitation public health facilities in Gauteng Province, South Africa

Background: Rehabilitation remains an unmet need and a neglected health service in South Africa. To address the country’s complex burden of disease, a skilled rehabilitation workforce is needed. Aim: This study aimed to identify prevalent medical conditions and disease trends among patients treated by rehabilitation therapists over a six-year period. It further examined whether these prevalent health conditions are represented in the rehabilitation health education curricula. Setting: The study was undertaken in public healthcare facilities within Gauteng province, South Africa. Methods: Secondary data on provincial rehabilitation data from April 2019 to March 2024 were analysed and categorised into non-communicable diseases (NCDs), children-specific conditions, injuries, and communicable diseases. Data were analysed descriptively. Lastly, the undergraduate rehabilitation health training curriculum (Occupational therapy, Physiotherapy, Speech therapy and Audiology) was reviewed to assess whether it covers the medical conditions treated by rehabilitation therapists. Results: The most treated conditions were NCDs (44.1%), injuries (36.4%) and children-specific conditions (15.6%). All health conditions decreased during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, followed by an increase in NCDs and injuries between 2022 and 2024. The undergraduate rehabilitation health training curriculum covers the most prevalent conditions treated by public sector rehabilitation therapists. Conclusion: The burden of diseases treated in public healthcare rehabilitation departments aligns with the national burden of diseases. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on rehabilitation services is evident in the trend analysis over the years. Continual review of the curriculum is needed to ensure local health responsiveness. Contribution: This study highlights the burden of disease treated by the public health sector rehabilitation therapists, the trends over time and the importance of ensuring that the curriculum is locally responsive.