Information Needs of People With Spinal Cord Injuries

J Spinal Cord Med, 2009 · DOI: · Published: November 1, 2009

Spinal Cord Injury Patient Experience Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

Individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCIs) face a higher risk of medical issues that can lower their quality of life. Getting the right information can help manage these issues. This study looks at what kind of information people with SCI need, how they access the internet, and their preferred ways to receive information. The study found that most people with SCI have internet access and prefer using the internet for information. However, many still prefer getting information directly from SCI experts. The level of education and race can affect whether someone uses the internet for SCI information. The study suggests that while the internet is a useful tool, it's important to provide information in different ways to reach everyone. More research is needed to figure out how to best give SCI information to people with different backgrounds and how to improve access to SCI experts.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

277 adults with spinal cord injuries

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
A significant majority (80.2%) of respondents reported having in-home Internet access.
2
The most frequently selected format used currently and preferred by respondents for receiving SCI information was ‘‘Web pages/ Internet.’’
3
Respondents reported needing information on medical issues the most.

Research Summary

This study investigated the information needs of individuals with SCI, their internet access, and their preferred information formats and sources. The findings indicate that while the internet is a frequently used and preferred source of information, access and preference are influenced by factors like education and race. The study highlights the importance of providing information through various channels and improving access to SCI experts, as they are a highly preferred source of information.

Practical Implications

Targeted Information Dissemination

Develop diverse methods to distribute SCI information, recognizing that Internet-based approaches may exclude certain subgroups.

Enhanced Access to SCI Experts

Explore strategies to increase access to SCI experts, potentially through online platforms or telemedicine, to meet the expressed preference of individuals with SCI.

Accessible Electronic Materials

Ensure that all electronic SCI information resources are accessible to individuals using assistive technologies, adhering to accessibility standards like Section 508 and WCAG 2.0.

Study Limitations

1
The study sample may not be representative of the national SCI population.
2
Not all the categories are mutually exclusive. For example, a journal can be accessed through the Internet. This may have caused confusion for some respondents.
3
The high percentage of cases coming from 2 of the 10 US regions, specifically from the states of Washington and Georgia.

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