Addressing disparities in the care of women with spinal cord injury: The Canadian perspective

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2019 · DOI: 10.1080/10790268.2019.1657749 · Published: January 1, 2019

Spinal Cord Injury Women's Health Public Health

Simple Explanation

This paper highlights the need to address gender-specific issues in healthcare and research, particularly for women with spinal cord injuries. It emphasizes the importance of evidence-based research in diverse populations to ensure optimal care and the role of rehabilitation professionals. The authors advocate for tailoring social support and providing individualized care by culturally competent providers to improve health care outcomes for women with spinal cord injuries.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Not specified

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Optimal care stems from evidence-based research conducted in diverse populations, including minorities based on gender, race, ethnicity, and disability.
2
Bias can affect how research findings are translated to clinical care, as well as the access to care.
3
Lack of attention to service delivery limits the impact of evidence-based research and contributes to inadequate health care.

Research Summary

This editorial introduces a special supplement focusing on the challenges faced by women with spinal cord injuries, stemming from the 8th National Spinal Cord Injury Conference. It stresses the importance of addressing biases in research and clinical care to improve service delivery and outcomes for this population. The editorial also highlights the need for culturally competent care and open communication among providers and patients to develop effective solutions.

Practical Implications

Improve Research Design

Demographic considerations should be integral to the entire research process to eliminate bias.

Enhance Clinical Care

Rehabilitation professionals should advocate for tailored social support and individualized care for women with spinal cord injuries.

Promote Cultural Competence

Healthcare providers should be aware of and respect the belief systems of diverse populations, including indigenous peoples.

Study Limitations

1
The editorial is a perspective piece and does not present original research data.
2
The scope is limited to the Canadian context, potentially limiting generalizability.
3
Specific interventions or strategies to address the identified disparities are not detailed.

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