title: Community reintegration of SCI persons: problems and perceptions.
abstract: A survey of 222 SCI patients treated by the Southeastern Michigan Spinal Cord Injury System was conducted to explore some key issues involving community reintegration problems. These patients had been discharged from the rehabilitation facility an average of 18 months. The 62 respondents (28%) did not differ from nonrespondents on demographic and health status variables and were considered representative of the total patient population. Important findings included the following: 1) 30% were noncompliant with prescribed medication, 2) 25% had not received all equipment prescribed during initial rehabilitation, 3) 45% indicated their current residence was not completely accessible, 4) 73% were dependent on others for transportation, 5) 8% were currently working, compared to 39% employed prior to injury 6) 47% indicated transportation problems as the main obstacle to their adjustment to SCI. The problems identified prevented the SCI patients from increasing their presence in the community, thereby preventing them from exposing obstacles and improving the opportunities available to them.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kuric
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008824:Michigan; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011788:Quality of Life; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires