Expanding International Impact: Interprofessional Collaboration in Rehabilitation Workforce Development Activities

Global rehabilitation workforce development requires coordinated efforts between healthcare providers and social care teams to meet diverse population needs. While many countries acknowledge this priority, stakeholders often lack resources and knowledge for meaningful implementation. An international interprofessional team was formed to address this gap, focusing on cultural, social, and economic contexts that influence workforce development. This collaborative initiative aims to strengthen rehabilitation services through shared expertise and sustainable local programs.Implementation: An international team of rehabilitation professionals from seven countries established a collaborative framework to develop workforce development resources. Implementation focused on creating adaptable tools that respect local healthcare infrastructure, education and cultural contexts. The team utilized a structured approach to integrate diverse expertise, fostering inclusive participation and leveraging varied professional perspectives to create practical, culturally-responsive workforce development solutions.Evaluation plan: The project's evaluation framework assessed both team effectiveness and resource development outcomes. Key metrics included successful creation of adaptable workforce development tools, level of cross-cultural collaboration, and integration of local contexts into final resources. Team dynamics were evaluated through structured feedback on interprofessional collaboration effectiveness, while resource effectiveness was measured through pilot implementation feedback from various countries.Outcome(s) and significance: The international team successfully developed adaptable rehabilitation workforce tools while establishing effective practices for cross-cultural collaboration. Key achievements included creating an inclusive team culture, implementing dynamic leadership roles, and ensuring effective communication across diverse contexts. This model demonstrates the feasibility of international interprofessional collaboration in developing sustainable workforce solutions, providing a framework for future global rehabilitation initiatives.