Physiatry in disaster response: Lessons from Aceh Tamiang, Palu, and Lombok, Indonesia

Abstract

Background Rehabilitation medicine is often viewed as post-acute care, although disaster-related functional problems may begin early and extend beyond direct traumatic injuries. Objective To describe rehabilitation needs observed after major Indonesian disasters and advocate for clearer regulation, documentation, and deployment pathways for disaster rehabilitation. Methods This short communication synthesizes official disaster reports, published literature, national policy documents, and field-based experience from the Aceh Tamiang flash floods and landslides (2025), Palu earthquake, tsunami, and liquefaction (2018), and Lombok earthquake sequence (2018). Findings The disasters caused substantial mortality, displacement, infrastructure damage, and musculoskeletal burden. Rehabilitation needs included fractures, postoperative functional limitations, immobilization-related complications, acute low back pain, sprains, strains, overuse injuries, fatigue-related syndromes, and exacerbation of pre-existing musculoskeletal disorders among survivors, evacuees, volunteers, and responders. Field interventions included functional assessment, pain management, therapeutic taping, selected injection-based procedures, positioning, splinting or bracing advice, early mobilization, exercise education, assistive device guidance, and caregiver education. Patient-level rehabilitation data and functional outcomes were not systematically recorded. Conclusion Disaster rehabilitation should begin in the acute phase and continue through recovery. Indonesia should integrate rehabilitation into disaster health guidelines, establish response teams, and implement functional outcome documentation.

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