900 Section - Gatekeepers of function: Empowering Family Physicians through clinical rotations to maximize Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine reach

Objectives : Since Ghana's first PRM physician graduated under the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons in 2021, a critical knowledge gap has persisted among Family Physicians (FPs), the crucial gatekeepers to care. This deficit limits appropriate referrals, resulting in suboptimal functional recovery for patients. To address this, the GCPS instituted a mandatory clinical rotation in PRM for all FP residents. This paper outlines the strategy, aiming to enhance FP knowledge, confidence, and the appropriateness of subsequent PRM referrals.

Design: A structured, mandatory PRM clinical rotation (2-4 weeks) was established in 2023 for Family Physician residents under the GCPS at a Ghanaian hospital.The rotation provided comprehensive clinical immersion, including direct patient clerking, hands-on techniques, and mentorship from an experienced rehabilitation physician. The curriculum emphasized core competencies such as functional assessment, exercise prescription, common PRM pathologies, and multidisciplinary collaboration.Residents utilized standardized logbooks for documentation, and competency was formally assessed through a comprehensive post-training examination incorporating PRM-specific questions and case studies to evaluate the practical application of fundamental principles

Results:

Since its inception in March 2023, 24 Family Physician residents have successfully completed the rotation, documenting enhanced expertise in functional history taking, needs assessment, and navigating the Ghanaian rehabilitation network.Crucially, preliminary data indicates a two-fold increase in appropriate rehabilitation referrals originating from these participating FPs, directly demonstrating the program's effectiveness in enhancing clinical practice and improving patient access to specialized PRM services. Due to this success, the program has expanded to include mandatory PRM rotations for Geriatrics specialists.

 

Conclusion: Mandatory PRM clinical rotations for Family Physicians offer a highly sustainable solution for addressing Ghana's rehabilitation needs. By enhancing FP awareness and strengthening referral pathways, this model improves patient access to specialized PRM services.This structured framework provides a scalable blueprint for other nations developing PRM programs, utilizing trained FPs as crucial advocates for specialty growth globally.