Marcalee Alexander1,2,3, Jagger Alexander4, Mohit Arora5, Chloe Slocum2, James Middleton5,6,7. 1. 1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL USA. 2. 2Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard School of Medicine, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Charlestown, MA USA. 3. Telerehabilitation International, Birmingham, AL USA. 4. 4Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN USA. 5. 5John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Research, Sydney Medical School, Northern Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW Australia. 6. State Spinal Cord Injury Service, NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation, Sydney, NSW Australia. 7. 7NSW Spinal Outreach Service, Royal Rehab, Sydney, NSW Australia.
Abstract
Study design: Cross-sectional survey. Objective: Persons with disabilities are disproportionately impacted by extreme weather disasters and climate change. Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) are especially at risk due to inability to control their body temperature and mobility concerns. We surveyed rehabilitation professionals in the field of SCI to determine their experiences, concerns and educational needs regarding natural disasters, climate change and sustainability and the effects on their clientele. Setting: Online survey available to an international cohort. Methods: The survey was developed by the authors and conducted in 2019. It was distributed amongst various international health care organizations whose members care for persons with SCI. Descriptive statistics and chi-square test for association were performed using Microsoft Excel 2016. Results: Of 125 respondents, 50% were from Europe, 18% from North America, and 18% from Asia; 74% were physicians and 13% physical therapists. In total 57.6% believed climate change had impacted their client's health and well-being. Respondents from North America were significantly less likely to report climate change had an impact on their patient's health than those from Asia or Europe (p < 0.01). In total 82.5% of respondents thought professionals should be concerned with sustainability and 85.5% were interested in further education. Conclusions: Most respondents acknowledged a need for more information related to the disasters, climate change, and disability. Results underscore the need for further research, professional, and consumer education.
Study design: Cross-sectional survey. Objective: Persons with disabilities are disproportionately impacted by extreme weather disasters and climate change. Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) are especially at risk due to inability to control their body temperature and mobility concerns. We surveyed rehabilitation professionals in the field of SCI to determine their experiences, concerns and educational needs regarding natural disasters, climate change and sustainability and the effects on their clientele. Setting: Online survey available to an international cohort. Methods: The survey was developed by the authors and conducted in 2019. It was distributed amongst various international health care organizations whose members care for persons with SCI. Descriptive statistics and chi-square test for association were performed using Microsoft Excel 2016. Results: Of 125 respondents, 50% were from Europe, 18% from North America, and 18% from Asia; 74% were physicians and 13% physical therapists. In total 57.6% believed climate change had impacted their client's health and well-being. Respondents from North America were significantly less likely to report climate change had an impact on their patient's health than those from Asia or Europe (p < 0.01). In total 82.5% of respondents thought professionals should be concerned with sustainability and 85.5% were interested in further education. Conclusions: Most respondents acknowledged a need for more information related to the disasters, climate change, and disability. Results underscore the need for further research, professional, and consumer education.