RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Personal, family and societal educational needs assessment of individuals with spinal cord injury in Iran
JF Neurosciences Journal
JO Neurosciences (Riyadh)
FD Prince Sultan Military Medical City
SP 216
OP 222
DO 10.17712/nsj.2018.3.20180023
VO 23
IS 3
A1 Zahra Khazaeipour
A1 Abolfazl Abouie
A1 Fatemeh Zarei
A1 Hamid Mirzaaghaie
A1 Afsaneh Abd-Mousavi
A1 Alireza Salehi-Nejad
A1 Alexander R Vaccaro
A1 Vafa Rahimi-Movaghar
YR 2018
UL http://nsj.org.sa/content/23/3/216.abstract
AB Objectives: To explore individuals’ perception of the personal, family and societal educational needs following a spinal cord injury (SCI).Methods: Sixty-one patients who sustained a traumatic SCI between March 2015 and June 2016 referred to Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Research Center (BASIR) were included in a cross sectional study and completed an online survey containing open-and closed-ended questions, in Iran. Participants’ responses were analyzed i using a qualitative approach with a thematic analysis.Results: Following a thematic analysis of the patient’s perceived educational needs, 3 themes and 14 subthemes were identified. The 3 themes included personal, family, and societal educational perceived needs. Within personal educational needs, there were 7 subthemes which included personal independence and transportation, financial independence, life skills modification, knowledge about SCI, prevention of SCI complications, relationships and sexual function, and psychological adjustments. Among family educational needs, the 3 subthemes were caregiver skills and communication, first aid and emergency skills, and emotional and psychological support. For societal educational needs, the 4 subthemes described were social integration, interpersonal communication skills, SCI awareness and injury prevention, sympathize while avoiding pity.Conclusion: According to our findings, people with SCI have various needs that need to be addressed. Educational support should be a part of a comprehensive rehabilitation program and geared towards addressing the patients’ personal and family needs, while educating the community about SCI in order to allow for reintegration into society.