Primary care for persons with spinal cord injury — not a novel idea but still under-developed

Primary care for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) has been a recognized need for a long time, but there is still no agreement on what it should include or how it should be provided. People with SCI often find ways to get primary care through family doctors and specialists depending on the healthcare system of their country. The 'medical home' model, which emphasizes a patient-centered approach, could be a suitable model for SCI primary care. This model would require appropriate funding, access to facilities, SCI knowledge, collaboration between different healthcare providers, and engagement with individuals who have SCI. The SCI community should actively support SCI primary care through effective advocacy and implementation to improve healthcare services for persons with SCI.

• 1
  Despite the acknowledged importance of primary care for persons with SCI, a standardized approach is lacking, and there is no consensus on its delivery.
• 2
  Persons with SCI often navigate primary care through various avenues, including family physicians and specialists, depending on their country's healthcare structure.
• 3
  The medical home model is suggested as an ideal approach, but its implementation requires addressing healthcare funding, access to facilities, SCI knowledge, interdisciplinary collaboration, and active engagement with persons with SCI.