02082nas a2200193   4500000000100000008004100001260001400042653005700056100001700113700001500130700001400145700001500159245006700174856007900241300001200320490000800332520152300340022002501863       2022                            d  bWHO Press10aPublic Health, Environmental and Occupational Health1 aChikhradze T1 aBrainerd E1 aIshtiaq A1 aAlperson R00aHow to become a strategic purchaser of rehabilitation services  uhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9589378/pdf/BLT.21.287499.pdf  a709-7160 v1003 a<p>Rehabilitative care is often overlooked and underfunded despite being a key component of universal health coverage, and now faces further neglect due to indirect impacts of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Policy-makers can leverage strategic purchasing approaches to make the most of available funds and maximize health gains. To implement more strategic purchasing of rehabilitation, health planners must: (i)&nbsp;develop and prioritize evidence-based rehabilitation service packages; (ii)&nbsp;use fit-for-purpose contracting and provider payment mechanisms to incentivize quality and efficient service delivery; and (iii)&nbsp;strengthen stewardship. This paper examines these three policy priorities by analysing their associated processes, actors and resources based on country experiences. Policy-makers will likely face several obstacles in operationalizing these policy priorities, including: inadequate accountability and coordination among sectors; limited data and research; undefined and non-standardized rehabilitation services, costs and outcomes; and inadequate availability of rehabilitative care. To overcome challenges and institute optimal strategic purchasing practices for rehabilitation, we recommend that policy-makers strengthen health sector stewardship and establish a framework for multisectoral collaboration, invest in data and research and make use of available experience from high-income settings, while creating a body of evidence from low- and middle-income settings.</p>
  a0042-9686, 1564-0604