International Spinal Cord Injury Community Survey: Socioeconomic and Healthcare Satisfaction in Spain

Global Spine Journal, 2024 · DOI: 10.1177/21925682231183972 · Published: July 1, 2024

Spinal Cord Injury Healthcare Public Health

Simple Explanation

This study investigates the socioeconomic status and healthcare satisfaction of people with spinal cord injury (SCI) in Spain. It uses data from the Spanish version of the International Spinal Cord Injury Community Survey. The survey included questions about age, sex, injury classification, time since injury, socio-occupational status, and satisfaction with the public health system. The study found that most respondents had paraplegia, were unemployed but received a disability pension, and considered their healthcare access to be good.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

472 people with spinal cord injury in Spain

Evidence Level

Survey study

Key Findings

1
A large majority (89.2%) of the surveyed individuals with SCI were unemployed, and 77.1% received a disability pension.
2
The average number of medical visits was 2.3 per year, and 19.8% of patients required at least one hospital admission in the previous year.
3
The overwhelming majority (94.7%) of individuals with SCI rated the healthcare they received as good or very good.

Research Summary

This study describes the socioeconomic characteristics of people living with SCI in Spain and their satisfaction with the public healthcare system. The study used data from the International Spinal Cord Injury Community Survey. The results indicate that most respondents had good access to and were satisfied with healthcare, despite a high average number of annual visits to medical professionals and a low rate of hospitalizations. The study suggests that improvements should focus on technical aids and state services related to disability.

Practical Implications

Service Modification

Services can be modified to address the unmet needs identified in the study, such as improving access to technical aids and state disability services.

Further Research

The results can inform the development of new studies and interventions tailored to the specific needs of the SCI population in Spain.

Program Adaptation

Existing programs can be adapted and adjusted based on the needs of SCI patients, ensuring that they are well-suited to the Spanish context.

Study Limitations

1
The study has the intrinsic limitations of descriptive studies.
2
The sample size, representing 1.2% of people with SCI in Spain, could be considered limited.
3
The number of respondents varied slightly for each module.

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