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Barriers for adoption and innovation on rehabilitation technology in low- and middle-income countries: A case study in Colombia

González-Vargas, Andrés M.
•
Barragán, Johann
•
Chavarria, Mario Andres  
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May 31, 2024
The Routledge International Handbook of Disability and Global Health

This chapter investigates barriers and opportunities regarding the adoption of innovative technology in the rehabilitation field in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We use Colombia as a case study. Colombia has a significant variation in infrastructure and across its population, which are relevant to both low-income and high-income countries. We focus on rehabilitation technology (RT) for functional difficulties, given its high prevalence. This mixed methods study used quantitative questionnaires to explore the use of RT, purchasing practices, priorities and infrastructure available. We complemented it with interviews with rehabilitation experts exploring their views on RT use, innovation efforts and pathways to develop new technologies. Our findings show that there is a need for further testing and understanding of the impact of rehabilitation technology in LMICs. The adoption of RT faces various barriers, namely high purchasing prices, difficulties to acquire replacement parts and consumables, lack of adaptation to the local context and infrastructure. These barriers can be overcome by fostering an innovation ecosystem that facilitates scientific development and commercialization of RTs locally. However, the process of transferring RTs to the market can be extremely challenging. It requires a joint effort between all the involved actors, academia, industry and health providers, with support from the local government. Having efficient, available and acceptable RT is crucial to close the rehabilitation access gap in LMICs where most persons with disabilities live.

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Type
book part or chapter
DOI
10.4324/9781003228059-46
Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85194993012

Author(s)
González-Vargas, Andrés M.

Universidad Autónoma de Occidente

Barragán, Johann

Universidad Autónoma de Bucaramanga

Chavarria, Mario Andres  

École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Velarde, Minerva Rivas

Geneva School of Health Sciences

Date Issued

2024-05-31

Publisher

Taylor and Francis

Publisher place

London

Published in
The Routledge International Handbook of Disability and Global Health
DOI of the book
10.4324/9781003228059
ISBN of the book

9781003228059

Edition

1st Edition

Total of pages

762

Start page

580

End page

597

Editorial or Peer reviewed

REVIEWED

Written at

EPFL

EPFL units
LASA  
Available on Infoscience
January 27, 2025
Use this identifier to reference this record
https://infoscience.epfl.ch/handle/20.500.14299/245330
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