Continuum of care for patients with acute and critical conditions: strengthening rehabilitation pathways in Ukraine

The full-scale war in Ukraine has substantially increased the number of people living with severe and complex injuries, many of whom require prolonged intensive care and rehabilitation. This has placed additional pressure on an already fragmented continuum of care and highlighted important gaps in the transition from acute and critical care to rehabilitation.

This project focuses on ICU and early rehabilitation pathways, where timely and coordinated rehabilitation can help reduce complications, support recovery, and prevent avoidable long-term disability. The project brings together academic institutions, clinical facilities, rehabilitation professionals, and patient organizations to better understand how rehabilitation pathways currently function in practice.

Using systems analysis and patient-pathway mapping, the project examines how patients move through services, how responsibilities and information are coordinated across providers, and where bottlenecks or discontinuities occur. It also explores opportunities to strengthen collaboration between clinical care, research, education, and patient experience.

By generating a shared understanding of current rehabilitation pathways and strengthening institutional and interdisciplinary capacity, the project aims to identify practical opportunities for improvement and provide a foundation for future research and broader health-system strengthening in Ukraine.