Effects of Adaptations in an Interdisciplinary Follow-Up Clinic for People with Spinal Cord Injury in the Chronic Phase: A Prospective Cohort Study

J. Clin. Med., 2023 · DOI: 10.3390/jcm12247572 · Published: December 8, 2023

Spinal Cord Injury Healthcare Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

This study investigates the impact of changes made to an interdisciplinary follow-up clinic for individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI). These changes included introducing a questionnaire, additional measurements, and combining visits with a physician and specialized nurse. The aim was to see if these adaptations improved the clinic by leading to more personalized recommendations for preventing secondary health conditions (SHCs) and increasing participant satisfaction. The study found that the adapted design resulted in an increased number of recommendations, particularly regarding devices and functioning, and that participants were highly satisfied with the adapted clinic.

Study Duration

October 2020 and October 2022

Participants

195 people with spinal cord injury

Evidence Level

Prospective cohort study

Key Findings

1
The adapted design of the follow-up clinic led to a significant increase in the average number of recommendations per participant, shifting the focus from somatic issues to psychosocial functioning and device use.
2
Added measurements revealed an average high systolic blood pressure among participants, leading to more referrals to general practitioners for check-ups.
3
Participants reported high satisfaction with the adapted clinic setup, indicating that their expectations were met and questions were answered effectively.

Research Summary

This study evaluated the effects of adaptations made to an interdisciplinary follow-up clinic for people with spinal cord injury (SCI) in the chronic phase. Adaptations included a pre-clinic questionnaire, additional physical measurements, and combined physician/nurse visits. The adapted clinic design resulted in a higher number of recommendations, particularly preventive measures related to devices, functioning, and psychosocial well-being. There was also a notable increase in referrals to general practitioners due to elevated systolic blood pressure readings. Participants expressed high satisfaction with the adapted clinic's setup and the extent to which their expectations were met, suggesting that the changes were well-received and valuable.

Practical Implications

Improved SHC Management

The adapted clinic design enhances the management of secondary health conditions by increasing the number and relevance of recommendations.

Early Detection of Hypertension

Routine blood pressure measurements can help identify and manage hypertension in individuals with SCI.

Enhanced Patient Satisfaction

The adapted clinic design is well-received by patients, leading to higher satisfaction levels and potentially improved adherence to recommendations.

Study Limitations

1
The study only included participants who responded to the invitation, potentially introducing bias.
2
The classification of recommendations was based on a previous retrospective study, limiting the ability to link all subjective SHCs directly to specific recommendations.
3
Educational levels of participants were not collected, which could influence questionnaire responses.

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