Evaluation of expert views and considerations to develop rehabilitation sports public services for persons with disabilities in Republic of Korea: a Delphi study

BACKGROUND: Physical activity is required to maintain health; however, resources needed for physical activity (e.g. facilities, instructors, and programmes) are scarce for persons with disabilities (PWD), particularly those who require rehabilitation following hospital discharge and those with severe disabilities. The Republic of Korea presently lacks a legal and administrative framework that supports the implementation of health services for PWD. Therefore, it is necessary to develop such a framework based on the perspectives of PWD, medical and physical education experts, facility managers, and government organisations. Thus, this study aimed to establish expert consensus on the development of rehabilitation sports public services (RSPS) in the Republic of Korea by reviewing previous studies and expert statements. METHODS: Using the Delphi method, we reviewed the literature to identify the critical roles and factors required for planning efficient RSPS programmes, including coordinators, physicians, facility managers, rehabilitation exercise and physical education instructors, and integrated information systems for facilities, instructors, and programmes. We developed a Delphi questionnaire with closed-ended questions, based on the factors derived from the literature review and supplementary open-ended questions, which was administered to a panel of 26 experts. RESULTS: The panel reached a consensus on most factors (i.e. coordinators, physicians, facility managers, rehabilitation exercise and physical education instructors, and integrated information systems for facilities, instructors, and programmes). However, no consensus was reached regarding ‘when an applicant can continue/discontinue an RSPS programme’, ‘establishing information systems to manage physical fitness of PWD’, and ‘joint operation of the to-be-established system by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism’, leaving room for further debate. CONCLUSIONS: By identifying the factors and roles necessary for RSPS, this study is expected to offer valuable information for state-led pilot projects and contribute to promoting physical activity and quality of life among PWD.