Barriers and facilitators of education provided during rehabilitation of people with spinal cord injuries: A qualitative description

PLoS ONE, 2020 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0240600 · Published: October 15, 2020

Spinal Cord Injury Patient Experience Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

This study explores the challenges and supportive elements in the education received by individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI) during their rehabilitation. It aims to understand how to improve this education. The study involved group discussions with 22 adults with SCI to gather their experiences and perspectives on the education they received during rehabilitation. The findings highlight the importance of being ready to learn, individual characteristics like motivation, and environmental and social factors in influencing education during SCI rehabilitation.

Study Duration

4 weeks

Participants

22 adults with SCI

Evidence Level

Qualitative descriptive study

Key Findings

1
Participants perceived education to be an ongoing process made up of consecutive phases, each of which had to be overcome before participants felt ready to reappraise their health and well-being.
2
Individual characteristics like motivation emerged as a crucial factor in following all provided recommendations, and to reinvent themselves in different contexts.
3
A lack of continuity between the rehabilitation centre and the community care centres and general practitioners, which were both perceived as less useful.

Research Summary

This qualitative study identified key barriers and facilitators affecting the education of individuals with SCI during rehabilitation using focus groups. The study highlights the importance of readiness to learn, individual characteristics, and environmental factors. The findings suggest that education is a continuous process influenced by various individual and external factors. Participants expressed the need for a stronger connection between rehabilitation centers and community support systems. The study recommends that healthcare professionals focus on the relevance of education, achievable goals, and bridging the gap between rehabilitation centers and community resources to improve the health perspective of SCI survivors.

Practical Implications

Structured Educational Programs

Design structured educational programs based on the experiences of healthcare professionals and people living with SCI.

Improved Patient-Clinician Communication

Implement specific training for healthcare professionals to improve patient-clinician communication and understand patients’ needs and expectations.

Community-Based Programs

Encourage the development of community-based education programs supervised by experts from rehabilitation centers to bridge the gap between rehabilitation and home.

Barriers and facilitators of education provided during rehabilitation of people with spinal cord injuries: A qualitative description

Simple Explanation

Key Findings

Research Summary

Practical Implications

Structured Educational Programs

Improved Patient-Clinician Communication

Community-Based Programs

Study Limitations

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Barriers and facilitators of education provided during rehabilitation of people with spinal cord injuries: A qualitative description

Simple Explanation

Key Findings

Research Summary

Practical Implications

Structured Educational Programs

Improved Patient-Clinician Communication

Community-Based Programs

Study Limitations

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?