A social and psychological study of 166 spinal cord injured patients from Queensland.
The follow-up of 166 patients discharged from the Brisbane Spinal Injuries Unit has shown that facilities for spinal cord injured patients in Queensland are inadequate. The size of Queensland adds to the problem. There would appear to be a real need for choices in accommodation, together with Care Attendant Schemes available when necessary. Appropriate training facilities and equal job opportunities for both sexes are required together with transport and essential equipment. Discrimination exists but mainly through ignorance or lack of communication. Within the Spinal Injuries Unit patients would like to see a total care plan with better facilities. The majority would also like to see care extended by periodic home visits following discharge. The study highlights the importance of the social and psychological aspects of spinal cord injury and the need for these two factors to be considered from the time of admission if successful resettlement is to be finally achieved.
D001315:Australia; D004651:Employment; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012917:Social Adjustment; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation