Against the backdrop of the WHO Resolution on Strengthening Rehabilitation in Health Systems (2023), also adopted by Switzerland, this project was initiated to develop policy considerations for strengthening rehabilitation in Switzerland.

Rehabilitation in Switzerland is currently shaped by the following key challenges:

• Rehabilitation has limited visibility and remains a low priority within Swiss health policy.
• Fragmented structures result from federal governance arrangements, differing funding models, and unequal access to rehabilitation.
• Workforce shortages, a lack of community-based services, and insufficiently coordinated care pathways create capacity constraints.

To address these challenges in the policy considerations, current scientific evidence, the findings of a national stakeholder survey, and the perspectives of rehabilitation experts were brought together. This process resulted in a Policy Brief containing 22 evidence-informed policy considerations addressing five key thematic areas. The Policy Brief is intended primarily for policymakers at the national and cantonal levels and is designed to support the implementation of the WHO Resolution on Strengthening Rehabilitation in Health Systems in Switzerland.

To the Policy Brief (Open Access)

This factsheet summarises the key findings of the Policy Brief in a concise and accessible format. It provides clear guidance on the growing challenges facing rehabilitation, as well as the priority areas for strengthening rehabilitation in Switzerland.

It is intended primarily for policymakers and supports a rapid, evidence-informed understanding of the topic.

Factsheet (in German) / Factsheet (in French)

PC1: Establish a National Swiss Rehabilitation Alliance to bring together key stakeholders, raise awareness of rehabilitation, and position rehabilitation as a core health service within national health priorities.

PC2: Establish a national coordination unit for rehabilitation to serve as a central source of information, coordinate activities, support strategy development, and facilitate the implementation of rehabilitation-related measures at the national level.

PC3: Review tariff systems and insurance regulations to ensure fair, accessible, and sustainable financing of rehabilitation services and to reduce financial barriers for health care users.

PC4: Promote the recognition of rehabilitation as a cost-effective investment that generates health, social, and economic benefits while reducing long-term healthcare costs. 

PC5: Align investments in rehabilitation with regional and cantonal needs assessments, demographic trends, and projected future demand.

PC6: Ensure the availability of rehabilitation services across all levels of care, with particular emphasis on primary care and community-based services.

PC7: Ensure equitable access to affordable, high-quality rehabilitation services across all regions and population groups.

PC8: Promote integrated and coordinated rehabilitation across the continuum of care, including effective transitions between inpatient, outpatient, and community-based services.

PC9: Strengthen quality assurance and quality improvement mechanisms to ensure high-quality, person-centred rehabilitation services.

PC10: Integrate rehabilitation into basic, specialised and continuing education programmes for all health professions and strengthen interprofessional competencies.

PC11: Address workforce shortages through needs-based workforce planning, monitoring, and targeted measures to attract and retain rehabilitation professionals.

PC12: Improve working conditions, career opportunities, and flexible working models to retain qualified rehabilitation professionals within the health system.

PC13: Strengthen health information systems to systematically collect, analyse, and use rehabilitation-related data, including functioning information.

PC14: Promote the recognition of functioning as a third core health indicator, alongside morbidity and mortality.

PC15: Advance digital infrastructure and interoperability, including the use of secure and standardised electronic health information systems.

PC16: Expand high-quality rehabilitation research at system, service and clinical levels to strengthen the evidence base on effectiveness and cost-effectiveness.

PC17: Establish rehabilitation science as an academic discipline through the expansion of professorships and research capacity.

PC18: Improve the translation of research into health services and policy through national guidelines, expert advisory groups, and structured knowledge translation strategies.

PC19: Promote national collaboration and establish rehabilitation research networks to enhance cooperation among academia, healthcare providers, cantons, insurers, and other stakeholders.

PC20: Integrate rehabilitation into emergency response plans and preparedness strategies to ensure continuity of rehabilitation services during and after crises.

PC21: Expand efforts to ensure equitable access to assistive devices and technologies, and environmental modifications based on individual needs and regardless of financial or administrative barriers.

PC22: Strengthen information, guidance, and training on assistive products and assistive technology for health professionals, users, and caregivers.

The project was conducted by the Center for Rehabilitation in Global Health Systems (CRGHS) at the University of Lucerne, with the involvement of CRGHS members and its Advisory Board, and in collaboration with the Advisory Board of the Lucerne Initiative for Functioning, Health and Well-being (LIFE) Rehabilitation.

The project brought together an interdisciplinary team of experts in health sciences, rehabilitation, medicine, and health and social policy.