A Community Reintegration Model for Persons With Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury in South Africa: Process and Outcomes

Advances in Rehabilitation Science and Practice, 2025 · DOI: 10.1177/27536351251326797 · Published: January 1, 2025

Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Public Health

Simple Explanation

This study addresses the challenges faced by individuals with traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) in South Africa regarding community reintegration (CR). It highlights the high incidence of TSCI in South Africa and the gap between policy emphasis on comprehensive rehabilitation and the actual implementation of CR programs. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, involving surveys, interviews, literature reviews, and expert consensus to develop a multi-level CR model. This model aims to improve outcomes for individuals with TSCI by addressing barriers at the individual, community, and policy levels. The study emphasizes the importance of coordinated interventions, including self-management strategies, employment assistance, accessible environments, and supportive policies. The ultimate goal is to facilitate meaningful participation in society and improve the quality of life for individuals with TSCI in South Africa.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

108 individuals with spinal cord injuries in Phase 1, 28 content experts in Phase 2, and 10 experts in Phase 4

Evidence Level

Original Research

Key Findings

1
The study revealed low levels of psychosocial and community reintegration among individuals with TSCI in South Africa, significantly influenced by employment and housing factors.
2
Content experts highlighted key barriers such as inaccessible environments, transportation challenges, and negative societal attitudes, which impede successful community reintegration.
3
The developed community reintegration model emphasizes coordinated interventions at individual, community, and policy levels to improve outcomes for individuals with traumatic spinal cord injuries.

Research Summary

The study developed a multidimensional model to improve community reintegration (CR) for individuals with traumatic spinal cord injuries (TSCI) in South Africa, addressing a significant gap between policy and implementation. A four-phase mixed-methods approach was employed, including surveys, interviews with content experts, reviews of existing CR programs, and a Delphi technique to design and refine program components and strategies. The resulting evidence-based CR model offers a structured, multi-level framework targeting individual, community, and policy levels to address reintegration challenges and improve outcomes for individuals with TSCI.

Practical Implications

Structured Framework

The evidence-based CR model provides a structured framework for addressing the complex challenges of reintegration.

Multi-level Approach

The multi-level approach acknowledges that successful reintegration requires coordinated efforts across individual, community, and policy domains.

Practical Implementation

Integrating diverse content experts’ perspectives ensures the model addresses real-world challenges and practical implementation considerations.

Study Limitations

1
The sample size of 108 participants may not fully represent South Africa’s diverse geographic and socioeconomic contexts.
2
The cross-sectional design provides only a snapshot view, limiting understanding of how community reintegration changes over time.
3
The study focuses on model development without testing implementation or evaluating effectiveness in practice.

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