Barriers to Accessing Post-Stroke Rehabilitation in Chile: Sub-Analysis of an International Survey of Neurologists and Rehabilitation Professionals in Latin America

Abstract

More than half of stroke survivors in Chile experience limitations in their activities of daily living. Although rehabilitation services are available for this condition, access remains a challenge for many patients. This study aimed to identify the main barriers to providing rehabilitation services in the country's public and private health sectors. A survey was conducted in 2023 to explore the rehabilitation services offered in Chile, with a total of 14 respondents from 21 hospitals. The mean age of the participants was 43.29 years (SD = 8.86), with a mean professional experience of 13.93 years (SD = 7.24). The results showed that the primary barriers to inpatient rehabilitation were the inadequate infrastructure in the public sector and the limited health coverage in the private sector. Regarding outpatient rehabilitation, the main barriers were the commuting distance to rehabilitation centers in the public sector and restricted health coverage in the private sector. In conclusion, the primary challenges in providing post-stroke rehabilitation services are linked to infrastructure and funding deficiencies. Health innovations, such as telemedicine, could be a valuable strategy to improve access. Furthermore, this research underscores the importance of exploring the barriers associated with inadequate health coverage and incorporating the perspectives of patients and caregivers into future studies.