Improving the care of women with spinal cord injury: Rehabilitation professionals as agents of change

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2019 · DOI: 10.1080/10790268.2019.1656951 · Published: January 1, 2019

Spinal Cord Injury Women's Health Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

The editors discuss the importance of considering sex and gender in rehabilitation science, particularly regarding the unique health issues of women living and aging with spinal cord injury. The editors highlight health system deficiencies through clinical challenges faced by women with spinal cord injury, such as aging in the community without support, domestic abuse, and perinatal care. The conference aims to provide current information and stimulate dialogue and action regarding several aspects of the health of women living with spinal cord injury.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Not specified

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
There are sex and gender disconnects in the field of spinal cord injury rehabilitation that may contribute to conscious or unconscious bias in service delivery.
2
Animal models of spinal cord injury predominantly use female rodents, while the majority of new traumatic spinal cord injury patients are male.
3
The majority of frontline providers of spinal cord injury care are women, while the majority of patients admitted for tertiary rehabilitation services are men.

Research Summary

This editorial discusses the need for the rehabilitation community to address sex and gender considerations, particularly focusing on the unique health issues faced by women with spinal cord injury. The editors share clinical challenges that highlight health system deficiencies in addressing the needs of women with spinal cord injury, including aging, abuse, and perinatal care. The 8th National Spinal Cord Injury Conference promotes unbiased methods and attitudes and embraces diversity of human experience in terms of sex, sexuality and gender expression.

Practical Implications

Address Unconscious Biases

Healthcare leaders and scientists should reflect on their unconscious biases to ensure equitable hiring, service delivery, and research design.

Improve System Resources

Develop better system resources to support women with spinal cord injury, addressing issues such as aging, domestic abuse, and perinatal care.

Promote Dialogue and Action

Foster open dialogue and action regarding the health of women with spinal cord injury, including topics like healthy aging, psychosocial aspects of pregnancy and menopause, and gynecological conditions.

Study Limitations

1
The editorial primarily focuses on the Canadian context, potentially limiting its generalizability.
2
The discussion on biases is theoretical and lacks specific examples of interventions to mitigate them.
3
The editorial serves as an introduction to a conference, so it does not present empirical research or data.

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