Spinal Cord Injury Community Survey: Understanding the Needs of Canadians with SCI

Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil, 2014 · DOI: 10.1310/sci2003-265 · Published: January 1, 2014

Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Public Health

Simple Explanation

This study aimed to identify the most critical service needs of people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) living in the community, at least one year after discharge from rehabilitation. It also looked at the support they received to meet those needs. Data was collected through a national survey in Canada, covering demographics, income, injury severity, and information on 13 SCI-related needs such as housing, care, transportation, and healthcare. The results showed that many participants expressed critical needs for community integration, but those with traumatic injuries reported more expressed and met needs than those with non-traumatic injuries. Personal and environmental factors, like injury severity and income, influenced whether needs were expressed and met.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

1,549 persons with SCI (traumatic lesion, n = 1,137; nontraumatic lesion, n = 412)

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Most critical needs for community integration were expressed by a substantial proportion of survey participants.
2
Persons with a traumatic lesion reported significantly more expressed and met needs compared to persons with a nontraumatic lesion.
3
Household income seems to be an important variable in the probability of meeting needs for services.

Research Summary

The study explored the needs of people with long-standing SCI, including sources of help and support and barriers to meeting their needs. About two-thirds of expressed needs are met, but there's significant variation, indicating some individuals face precarious situations. Environmental barriers, especially the process of getting needs met and associated costs, require reassessment to improve access to services for independent community living.

Practical Implications

Service Delivery Improvement

The needs measure developed in this study might be very useful for service providers to detect individuals who require additional support and to prioritize actions to meet the most unmet needs.

Policy and Funding Reassessment

A reassessment of some aspects of access to services, particularly for critical needs such as accessible housing, attendant care, transportation, and income support, is required.

Support for Caregivers

Partners who act as caregivers suffer from serious burden and also need a great deal of support through various interventions.

Study Limitations

1
Selection and nonresponse bias due to non-randomized recruitment and uneven participation across Canada.
2
Potential information bias from self-reported data and lengthy questionnaires.
3
Potential misclassification of AIS grade due to self-reported information about motor and sensation recovery.

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