1616 - The State of PM&R in Egypt: A Qualitative Exploration of Education, Practice, and Access to Rehabilitation Services

Thursday, February 19, 2026

5:00 PM - 6:30 PM AST

Presenting Author(s)

EI

Ennis Ibrahim, BS

Medical Student
Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine
Henderson, Nevada, United States

Co-Author(s)

WE

Walaa Elwakil, MD

Lecturer of Rheumatology, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine
Alexandria University
Alexandria Governorate, Al Iskandariyah, Egypt
NT

Niña Carmela R. Tamayo, DO, MS, MPH

Founder/Physiatrist
Prime Directives PM&R, LLC
Lakewood, Ohio, United States

Submitter(s)

EI

Ennis Ibrahim, BS

Medical Student
Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine
Henderson, Nevada, United States

Objectives: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) is a recognized specialty in Egypt, yet disparities persist in service availability and access. This study explored PM&R in Egypt with an emphasis on training, care delivery, referral processes, and systemic barriers. To strengthen the context, findings were integrated with evidence from a PRISMA-compliant systematic review of PM&R services in Egypt.

Design:
A PRISMA-guided systematic review searched PubMed, Google Scholar, Egyptian journals, and grey literature using terms on PM&R and rehabilitation in Egypt. All study types were considered with no year restriction. Of 56 records identified, 12 studies met the inclusion criteria addressing education, service delivery, governance, and workforce distribution. In addition, semi-structured virtual interviews with Egyptian rehabilitation physicians and therapists were conducted, guided by international frameworks and the ISPRM Scope Book, and examined training, teamwork, referral systems, access, and systemic barriers. Data were transcribed and thematically analyzed.

Results:
In Egypt, PM&R practice is primarily hospital- and university-based, with inpatient rehabilitation concentrated in major urban centers like Cairo and Alexandria, and outpatient/home-based services often provided without physician oversight. Referral systems remain paper-based and inconsistent. Key barriers include limited insurance, high out-of-pocket costs, geographic inequities, and inadequate accessibility infrastructure. Rehabilitation medicine training is offered at the master’s and doctoral levels, with a residency program established at Alexandria University. Physiotherapy education is well established, but gaps in occupational therapy, speech therapy, and prosthetics training still exist.

Conclusions:
Egypt’s PM&R system demonstrates strong academic training and growing specialty centers, yet is constrained by financial, structural, and referral barriers. Expansion of insurance coverage, standardized referral networks, and disability-inclusive infrastructure are critical next steps. Initiatives include the development of comprehensive spinal cord injury centers, legislative reforms advancing disability rights, and partnerships with NGOs. International collaborations may help advance equitable access to rehabilitation care in Egypt and inform global rehabilitation strategies.