Ternopil National Medical University Researchers Serve as Clinical Psychology Experts in Rehabilitation Workforce Assessment

On March 4, 2026, in Kyiv, the World Health Organization in Ukraine presented the results of the national assessment of workforce resources in the field of rehabilitation, conducted in accordance with the international GROWE methodology. Professor Olena Venher, Head of the Department of Psychiatry, Narcology, and Medical Psychology, and Associate Professor Olha Lyuta participated in a professional expert meeting to discuss these results.

As part of the study, our researchers acted as experts in clinical psychology, representing the academic community’s professional perspective on the role of clinical psychologists within multidisciplinary rehabilitation teams.

The study, which began in February 2025, covered nine professions essential to the functioning of multidisciplinary rehabilitation teams: physicians in physical and rehabilitation medicine, physical therapists, occupational therapists, assistants to physical and occupational therapists, social workers, speech-language therapists, and clinical psychologists.

During the meeting, key findings from the analysis of the rehabilitation system’s workforce capacity were presented, followed by an expert discussion on next steps to improve access to and the quality of rehabilitation services for the population of Ukraine.

The event was attended by representatives of central executive authorities, including Serhiy Ubohov, Head of the Department of Medical Personnel, Education, and Science at the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, and Maryna Mruha, Head of the Expert Group on Integration into the European Higher Education Area at the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. International experience and recommendations for further steps were presented by Shirin Kiani, Technical Specialist in Rehabilitation and Disability at the WHO Regional Office for Europe.

The results of the study will form the basis for preparing the National Action Plan for the Development of Workforce Resources in Rehabilitation, supporting the strategic development of the rehabilitation care system in Ukraine and expanding patient access to high-quality services.