Methods for development of structure, process and outcome indicators for prioritized spinal cord injury rehabilitation Domains: SCI-High Project

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2019 · DOI: 10.1080/10790268.2019.1647386 · Published: January 1, 2019

Spinal Cord Injury Healthcare Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

This research focuses on improving the quality of rehabilitation care for adults with spinal cord injuries or diseases (SCI/D) in Canada. The project developed a framework of indicators to measure and benchmark rehabilitation quality across 11 key areas, aiming for uniform measurement and improvement in care. The selected indicators are intended to ensure timely, safe, and effective rehabilitation services for adults with SCI/D, ultimately enhancing healthcare quality and equity.

Study Duration

18 months

Participants

69 content experts [14 physicians, 3 nurses, 5 occupational therapists, 10 physiotherapists, 2 social workers, 3 psychologists and 29 scientists (neuro-rehabilitation, kinesiology, psychology, etc.)], 3 individuals with lived experience, 4 administrative leaders and 2 patient and family educators.

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
The project established aims, constructs, and related structure, process, and outcome indicators to facilitate uniform measurement and benchmarking across 11 Domains of rehabilitation.
2
These processes led to the selection of a feasible set of indicators that once implemented should ensure that adults with SCI/D receive timely, safe, and effective rehabilitation services.
3
The Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Care High Performance Indicators (SCI-High Project) aims to select, implement and evaluate indicators of quality rehabilitation care in Canada.

Research Summary

This manuscript describes the methods used for developing, refining, and implementing a framework of structure, process, and outcome indicators that reflect high-quality rehabilitation among adults with SCI/D in Canada. The Project Team established aims, constructs and related structure, process, and outcome indicators to facilitate uniform measurement and benchmarking across 11 Domains of rehabilitation. These processes led to the selection of a feasible set of indicators that once implemented should ensure that adults with SCI/D receive timely, safe, and effective rehabilitation services.

Practical Implications

Health System Performance Assessment

The indicators can be used to assess health system performance related to SCI/D rehabilitation.

Quality of Care Monitoring

The indicators enable monitoring of care quality within and across rehabilitation settings.

Rehabilitation Outcome Evaluation

The indicators support the evaluation of rehabilitation outcomes for the SCI/D population, leading to enhanced healthcare quality and equity.

Study Limitations

1
The selected indicators may not be optimal for health care assessment.
2
Feasibility testing and implication of these indicators for comparison would be difficult, due to small sample sizes and heterogeneity in impairment within the SCI/D population.
3
A limited group of experts for each Domain; thus, it is possible that a different group of experts might disagree on the Construct definition and selected indicators.

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