V M Jakimovska1,2, E Kostovski1,2, F Biering-Sørensen1,3, I B Lidal1. 1. Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital, Science Department, Nesoddtangen, Norway. 2. Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway. 3. Clinic for Spinal Cord Injuries, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive cross-sectional and retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: To gain more insight into the long-term health status in persons with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI), especially perceived psychological distress as well as self-reports of utilization of healthcare services. SETTING: Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital, Norway. METHODS: In total, 147 persons with SCI were examined for more than 20 years and interviewed (in 2004/2005) using a self-administrated questionnaire and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-20). Descriptive statistics and a logistic regression analysis were conducted to identify variables associated with psychological distress. RESULTS: Most participants had received SCI follow-up health services at least once after initial rehabilitation; 34% were satisfied, 51% neutral and 18% unsatisfied with the health services provided. Concerning psychological distress, 34 persons were cases according to the GHQ-20. The cases did not differ from non-cases concerning demography, time since injury, injury aetiology, injury severity, marital status or employment status. The regression analysis revealed that cases were associated (P<0.05) with more use of SCI-specific follow-ups. CONCLUSION: In a 20+ years' post-injury SCI population, psychological distress is common and associated with the use of follow-up services. The varying satisfaction of people with SCI about healthcare services is notable, as is the finding that 20% of people with paraplegia did not use specific SCI follow-up services. The experiences of people with SCI with healthcare services need further investigation, and there is also a need for studies that examine the effects of interventions aimed at improving services and patient satisfaction.
STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive cross-sectional and retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: To gain more insight into the long-term health status in persons with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI), especially perceived psychological distress as well as self-reports of utilization of healthcare services. SETTING: Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital, Norway. METHODS: In total, 147 persons with SCI were examined for more than 20 years and interviewed (in 2004/2005) using a self-administrated questionnaire and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-20). Descriptive statistics and a logistic regression analysis were conducted to identify variables associated with psychological distress. RESULTS: Most participants had received SCI follow-up health services at least once after initial rehabilitation; 34% were satisfied, 51% neutral and 18% unsatisfied with the health services provided. Concerning psychological distress, 34 persons were cases according to the GHQ-20. The cases did not differ from non-cases concerning demography, time since injury, injury aetiology, injury severity, marital status or employment status. The regression analysis revealed that cases were associated (P<0.05) with more use of SCI-specific follow-ups. CONCLUSION: In a 20+ years' post-injury SCI population, psychological distress is common and associated with the use of follow-up services. The varying satisfaction of people with SCI about healthcare services is notable, as is the finding that 20% of people with paraplegia did not use specific SCI follow-up services. The experiences of people with SCI with healthcare services need further investigation, and there is also a need for studies that examine the effects of interventions aimed at improving services and patient satisfaction.
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