Using scoping review methods to describe current capacity and prescribe change in Canadian SCI rehabilitation service delivery

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2012 · DOI: 10.1179/2045772312Y.0000000045 · Published: September 1, 2012

Spinal Cord Injury Healthcare Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

This study uses a scoping review to understand the current state of spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation services in Canada. A framework based on the International Classification of Function, Disability and Health (ICF) was developed to guide the review. The findings will be presented in an atlas, which will include data on various aspects of SCI rehabilitation, and a report card summarizing the current state and future priorities.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

13 of 15 Canadian tertiary SCI rehabilitation sites

Evidence Level

Scoping Review

Key Findings

1
The scoping review identified national trends, gaps (regional or process disparity), and priorities in SCI rehabilitation service delivery.
2
The review aims to inform future enhancements in SCI service delivery by specifying key priorities for 2020 in knowledge generation, clinical application, and policy change.
3
The atlas includes aggregate national data regarding impairment and demographic characteristics, service utilization, available resources (staff and capital equipment), specialized services, local expertise, and current best practice indicators, outcome measures, and clinical guidelines.

Research Summary

This study describes the methodology used to conduct a scoping review of SCI rehabilitation service delivery in Canada, and explains the reporting process intended to advance future service delivery. The SCI rehabilitation framework was derived from the International Classification of Function, Disability and Health to describe the goals and interprofessional processes of rehabilitation. The findings will be presented in an atlas and a report card, specifying key 2020 priorities for enhancements in knowledge generation, clinical application, and policy change domains.

Practical Implications

Informing Best Practices

The E-Scan Atlas will inform best practice implementation initiatives and the development of future Canadian clinical practice guidelines.

Eliminating Regional Disparities

The Atlas features should support the abandonment of ineffective practices and enable provincial and national advocacy for appropriate practice resources to eliminate regional disparity in service provision.

Guiding Future Research

The E-Scan is meant to serve as a baseline descriptor of SCI rehabilitation service delivery, prior to implementation of other national initiatives intended to influence SCI rehabilitation service provision.

Study Limitations

1
The scoping review process has likely suffered from the lack of a quality assessment or a critical appraisal assessment tool.
2
Conventional scoping review methods for summary and weighting of the data acquired were not used as the volume, type, and nature of the data varied widely across rehabilitation goals, rendering cross-chapter comparisons of data infeasible.
3
The atlas features should support the abandonment of ineffective practices and enable provincial and national advocacy for appropriate practice resources to eliminate regional disparity in service provision.

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