Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the needs of people living with spinal cord injury, receiving formal carer and hospital services. Materials and methods: This exploratory qualitative study was undertaken with people living with spinal cord injury in metropolitan or regional Victoria. Participants were recruited through the Australian Quadriplegic Association. Twenty-two in-depth interviews were conducted between September and October 2015. Participants were purposely selected based on their age, gender, level of injury, and compensation status. A thematic analysis was undertaken using a framework approach. Results and conclusions: With respect to hospitalization, the findings highlighted the need for improved access to spinal cord injury specialist care and greater personalization of care delivery for people with spinal cord injury. When receiving formal care services, participants reported the need for carers to be educated in preventing and managing secondary conditions, and for information about managing carers in their life and home. A more reliable and accessible supply of carers was also required to reduce the anxiety associated with an actual or potential absence of their assistance. To improve the independence and quality of care and life for people living with spinal cord injury, more responsive and individualized care is needed in the hospital, rehabilitation, and community settings. Implications for rehabilitationUnderstanding the individualized needs of people living with spinal cord injury and their families with respect to carer management is necessary to provide tailored rehabilitation education and ensure appropriate community supports are in place.The development of individualized plans by rehabilitation health professionals for obtaining spinal cord injury specialist care post-discharge could reduce anxiety and improve safety and quality of care.Integrating peer support into rehabilitation processes could offer benefits in managing carer issues.Greater family involvement in the rehabilitation process and follow-up psychological support could assist with adjustment and quality of life post-discharge.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1893-1899 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Disability and Rehabilitation |
| Volume | 40 |
| Issue number | 16 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2018 |
Keywords
- attendant care
- caregiver
- health and support services
- personal assistance
- readmission
- secondary conditions
- Spinal cord injury
Cite this
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Experiences of hospital readmission and receiving formal carer services following spinal cord injury : a qualitative study to identify needs. / Braaf, Sandra C.; Lennox, Alyse; Nunn, Andrew; Gabbe, Belinda J.
In: Disability and Rehabilitation, Vol. 40, No. 16, 2018, p. 1893-1899.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
TY - JOUR
T1 - Experiences of hospital readmission and receiving formal carer services following spinal cord injury
T2 - a qualitative study to identify needs
AU - Braaf, Sandra C.
AU - Lennox, Alyse
AU - Nunn, Andrew
AU - Gabbe, Belinda J.
PY - 2018
Y1 - 2018
N2 - Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the needs of people living with spinal cord injury, receiving formal carer and hospital services. Materials and methods: This exploratory qualitative study was undertaken with people living with spinal cord injury in metropolitan or regional Victoria. Participants were recruited through the Australian Quadriplegic Association. Twenty-two in-depth interviews were conducted between September and October 2015. Participants were purposely selected based on their age, gender, level of injury, and compensation status. A thematic analysis was undertaken using a framework approach. Results and conclusions: With respect to hospitalization, the findings highlighted the need for improved access to spinal cord injury specialist care and greater personalization of care delivery for people with spinal cord injury. When receiving formal care services, participants reported the need for carers to be educated in preventing and managing secondary conditions, and for information about managing carers in their life and home. A more reliable and accessible supply of carers was also required to reduce the anxiety associated with an actual or potential absence of their assistance. To improve the independence and quality of care and life for people living with spinal cord injury, more responsive and individualized care is needed in the hospital, rehabilitation, and community settings. Implications for rehabilitationUnderstanding the individualized needs of people living with spinal cord injury and their families with respect to carer management is necessary to provide tailored rehabilitation education and ensure appropriate community supports are in place.The development of individualized plans by rehabilitation health professionals for obtaining spinal cord injury specialist care post-discharge could reduce anxiety and improve safety and quality of care.Integrating peer support into rehabilitation processes could offer benefits in managing carer issues.Greater family involvement in the rehabilitation process and follow-up psychological support could assist with adjustment and quality of life post-discharge.
AB - Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the needs of people living with spinal cord injury, receiving formal carer and hospital services. Materials and methods: This exploratory qualitative study was undertaken with people living with spinal cord injury in metropolitan or regional Victoria. Participants were recruited through the Australian Quadriplegic Association. Twenty-two in-depth interviews were conducted between September and October 2015. Participants were purposely selected based on their age, gender, level of injury, and compensation status. A thematic analysis was undertaken using a framework approach. Results and conclusions: With respect to hospitalization, the findings highlighted the need for improved access to spinal cord injury specialist care and greater personalization of care delivery for people with spinal cord injury. When receiving formal care services, participants reported the need for carers to be educated in preventing and managing secondary conditions, and for information about managing carers in their life and home. A more reliable and accessible supply of carers was also required to reduce the anxiety associated with an actual or potential absence of their assistance. To improve the independence and quality of care and life for people living with spinal cord injury, more responsive and individualized care is needed in the hospital, rehabilitation, and community settings. Implications for rehabilitationUnderstanding the individualized needs of people living with spinal cord injury and their families with respect to carer management is necessary to provide tailored rehabilitation education and ensure appropriate community supports are in place.The development of individualized plans by rehabilitation health professionals for obtaining spinal cord injury specialist care post-discharge could reduce anxiety and improve safety and quality of care.Integrating peer support into rehabilitation processes could offer benefits in managing carer issues.Greater family involvement in the rehabilitation process and follow-up psychological support could assist with adjustment and quality of life post-discharge.
KW - attendant care
KW - caregiver
KW - health and support services
KW - personal assistance
KW - readmission
KW - secondary conditions
KW - Spinal cord injury
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85017417524&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/09638288.2017.1313910
DO - 10.1080/09638288.2017.1313910
M3 - Article
VL - 40
SP - 1893
EP - 1899
JO - Disability and Rehabilitation
JF - Disability and Rehabilitation
SN - 0963-8288
IS - 16
ER -