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

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.