Framework and Core Content of International Policy on Service of Assistive Technology / 中国康复理论与实践

ABSTRACT

Objective:To study the policy framework and core content of assistive technology (AT) services, compare the current status of AT in countries with different levels of development, and discuss the future development of international policies and services of AT. Methods:Based on the policy and theoretical framework of AT of the United Nations (UN) and World Health Organization (WHO), the policy framework and main contents of international AT services were analyzed; the policies, assistive products and service development of AT services in countries with different levels of development worldwide were compared; and the policy and innovative technology development hotspots of international AT were explored. Results:AT service is an important component of rehabilitation services, and the development of AT services is a key step toward achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goal 3, "Ensure healthy lifestyles and promote the well-being of people of all ages". UN and WHO advocated AT services policy. The framework is based on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) on articles related to AT, and WHO documents of AT and rehabilitation, such as World Report on Disability, the Global Plan of Action on Disability, Rehabilitation in the Health System, and Rehabilitation in the Health System A Guide to Action, as well as WHA 71.8 on Assistive Technology, Improving Access to Assistive Technology. The core elements of the international AT policy aim to build integrated, people-centered health services, emphasize the integration of AT into the health system and rehabilitation services, establish and develop AT services in six building blocks of WHO health system, thereby improving access to quality AT to achieve universal health coverage. Further in the fields of technology and service innovation, it proposed to establish a 5P model. High-income countries and low- and middle-income countries are facing many difficulties and large differences in AT service policies, assistive product provision, and service coverage. In the future, adoption of the 5P model proposed by WHO for policy and service delivery and technological changes, and the innovation of assistive product development and AT service models will be the hot spots of AT development. Conclusion:The policy on AT at international level is centered on the concept of UN CRPD and is based on prospect of policy documents issued by the UN and WHO on AT services, with the core objective of developing AT services to provide timely, appropriate, and affordable to persons with disabilities, aging, and people needed to improve their health, quality of life and well-being. It proposes to integrate AT into universal health coverage and to deliver AT service through primary health care in order to achieve the UN SDG 3 goal with full coverage of AT. It proposes to integrate AT into rehabilitation services, i.e. leadership and governance, financing, AT professionals, AT delivery, medicine and technology, and health information system monitoring AT services. There are differneces in AT products and AT delivery due to the globel differneces in economic and social development levels and challenges in access to AT services. It is necessary to develop relevant policies, planning and innovations in assistive products and AT services. AT development in the future will focus on the 5P model of AT to implement reforms in the field of product and service delivery as well as technological innovation in order to improve the coverage, availability, accessibility and affordability, integrate AT into the health system within the framework of universal health coverage, achieve full coverage of universal AT services, and enhance the quality of AT and improve consumers' well-being.