Advancing primary and community care for persons with spinal cord injury: Key findings from a Canadian summit

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2020 · DOI: 10.1080/10790268.2018.1552643 · Published: January 1, 2020

Spinal Cord Injury Healthcare Public Health

Simple Explanation

Persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) face considerable difficulties accessing primary care and community services, leading to unmet healthcare needs. A summit was convened in Ontario, Canada, to address these challenges by fostering collaboration and identifying solutions to improve primary and community care for individuals with SCI. The summit brought together key stakeholders, including people with SCI, caregivers, clinicians, researchers, advocacy groups, and policymakers, to prioritize solutions for enhancing SCI care.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

95 key stakeholders including persons with SCI and caregivers, clinicians, researchers, advocacy groups, and policy makers

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Summit participants emphasized the importance of creating a network of key stakeholders to enable knowledge sharing and collaboration to improve SCI care.
2
Participants suggested establishing an online repository of SCI resources, integrated health records, and a clinical network to enhance access to information and facilitate coordinated care.
3
Improved care transitions across sectors, effective care models, enhanced service access, and empowerment frameworks were identified as crucial for supporting self-management and improving overall SCI care.

Research Summary

A summit was held to identify priorities for collaborative efforts to advance primary and community care for persons with SCI and inform the development of a provincial SCI strategy. The summit involved presentations, panel discussions, and small group discussions focused on knowledge translation, best practices, communication, research, and patient service accessibility. Participants identified issues and solutions, emphasizing the need for stakeholder networks, online resources, integrated health records, improved care transitions, effective care models, and patient empowerment.

Practical Implications

Improve Knowledge Translation

Establish a network of stakeholders to create and share knowledge, utilizing online modules and point-of-care tools.

Enhance Best Practices

Develop and promote evidence-informed guidelines and an online repository of SCI resources for primary care providers.

Foster Communication

Create integrated health records, expand virtual outreach, and build a provider network to clarify care pathways.

Study Limitations

1
Limited attention paid to the social determinants of health (housing, employment, relationships).
2
Limited attention was paid to the specific health conditions associated with SCI (e.g. mental health, bowel and bladder dysfunction, spasticity).
3
The Summit was focused on health care delivery in Ontario and outcomes may not be applicable to other jurisdictions.

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