Reconceptualising the roles and activities of CBR community workers in East Timor: a concept mapping study

This study critically investigates the roles and activities of Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) community workers in East Timor through a concept mapping methodology framed within postcolonial theory. Drawing on participatory input from CBR organisation staff (n = 6) and community workers (n = 19), the study identified five core domains of CBR activities: (1) Advocacy and Inclusion Promotion, (2) Public Awareness and Capacity Development, (3) Family and Daily Life Support, (4) Health and Rehabilitation Support, and (5) Social Services and Resource Delivery. Activities rated most effective – such as daily living support, community monitoring, and emotional care – demonstrate a hybrid model that integrates clinical knowledge with community-based practices. These insights support the development of a competency-based training curriculum that responds to both institutional standards and grassroots needs. The findings offer a locally grounded framework for advancing inclusive disability services in post-conflict and resource-constrained settings.