Changes in essential care in individuals with spinal cord injury during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Spinal Cord 2023;
61:76-82. [PMID:
36434106 PMCID:
PMC9702950 DOI:
10.1038/s41393-022-00868-w]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2022] [Revised: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN
Cross-sectional, observational study.
OBJECTIVES
To determine whether changes in essential care during the COVID-19 pandemic impacted satisfaction with activities, participation, and relationships among individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI).
SETTING
Data were collected online between December 31, 2020 and February 14, 2021 among community dwelling adults with SCI (N = 123).
METHODS
The primary outcome variables were satisfaction with the ability to complete activities of daily living (ADLs) (mobility, dressing, feeding, and toileting), as well as satisfaction with participation in household and recreational activities, and satisfaction with relationships among friends, family, and with the status of one's relationship measured with the International Spinal Cord Injury Data Sets Activities and Participation Basic Data Set. Primary predictors were age, gender, time since injury, completeness of injury, injury level, access to mental health, access to medications, access to medical supplies, and access to personal care assistants (PCAs).
RESULTS
Impact on access to mental health and impact on access to supplies were the most common factors affecting satisfaction with activities, participation, and relationships for individuals with SCI during the COVID-19 pandemic. Impact on access to PCAs/homecare was also found to impact certain outcomes including feeding and participation in household activities.
CONCLUSIONS
Future supply chain disruptions from pandemics or natural disasters could have wide-reaching effects for individuals with SCIs. Thus, further research and advocacy is needed to improve mental health care planning and supply chain access during subsequent natural disasters.
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