Model System:

SCI

Reference Type:

Journal

Accession No.:

J74736

Journal:


Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine - JSCM (formerly Journal of the American Paraplegia Society)

Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):

, 39, 2, 155-161

Publication Website:

Abstract:

Study assessed patient perspectives or preferences on when and how professionals should deliver news to patients regarding poor prognosis for neurological recovery after severe (neurologically complete) traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). Sixty subjects with a motor-complete SCI for at least 3 months were recruited from three geographically different acute rehabilitation centers to complete an online survey to obtain retrospective information on their experiences of receiving poor prognosis. A mixed-methods approach was used to obtain data on individual experiences and a combination of quantitative and qualitative analyses was used to assess patterns in individual responses. Sixty individuals were recruited for the study and 56 participants completed the survey. Most heard their prognosis from a physician, in the acute care hospital (61 percent), with the patient initiating the conversation (64 percent). The majority of patients surveyed report wanting to know their prognosis early after injury and to hear the information by a physician in a clear and sensitive manner. There were no differences in patient experience nor recommendations based on demographic background (i.e., sex, age, race, or education level).

Author(s):



Participating Centers: