Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 19, 2026
09:46
Training Persons with Spinal Cord Injury to Ambulate Using a Powered Exoskeleton
Published on: June 16, 2016
Web-Based Specialist Support for Spinal Cord Injury Person's Care: Lessons Learned
Vincenzo Della Mea1, Dario Marin, Claudio Rosin
1Medical Informatics, Telemedicine and eHealth Laboratory, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Udine, Via delle Scienze 206, 33100 Udine, Italy.
International Journal of Telemedicine and Applications
|August 31, 2012
Summary
A web portal for spinal cord injury (SCI) patients offers online support but sees low usage. Patients prefer phone calls over the secure portal, finding it easier for doctor communication.
Area of Science:
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Health Informatics
- Patient Support Systems
Background:
- Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) face high risks of health complications post-rehabilitation.
- Regular medical follow-up is crucial for SCI patients after hospital discharge.
- Existing communication methods may not fully meet the ongoing support needs of SCI individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a web portal for online specialist and general practitioner (GP) support for SCI patients.
- To assess the feasibility and adoption of a secure, smartcard-authenticated web portal in a regional healthcare network.
- To identify barriers to the utilization of digital health tools by SCI individuals.
Main Methods:
- Initial feasibility study with 13 SCI subjects.
- Implementation of a web portal with smartcard authentication for data protection compliance.
- User training for up to 50 SCI individuals.
- Investigation of low portal access rates via a questionnaire for initial feasibility study participants.
Main Results:
- The web portal was developed and integrated into a regional healthcare network.
- Despite training, portal access rates remained very low among SCI users.
- Participants found telephone communication significantly easier and more conventional than the web portal.
Conclusions:
- While the concept of the web portal was appreciated, its practical adoption was hindered by user preferences.
- SCI patients perceive online communication with doctors as unusual, preferring traditional phone calls for seeking medical help.
- Future digital health solutions must consider user-friendliness and established communication habits for successful implementation.
Related Concept Videos
01:14Spinal Cord Injury ll: Pathophysiology
Spinal cord injury progresses through two interconnected phases: primary injury and secondary injury.Primary InjuryPrimary injury happens at the moment of trauma and involves immediate mechanical damage to the spinal cord.Compression happens when broken vertebrae, herniated discs, or accumulating blood (such as a hematoma) press directly against the spinal cord, distorting its normal shape and function. In cases of contusion, the cord is bruised by a blunt force (like penetrating injuries or...
01:25Secondary Spinal Cord Injury llI: Pathophysiology
Early Ischemia and Ionic ImbalanceWithin minutes of spinal cord injury, a secondary cascade begins, progressing over hours to weeks. Vascular damage reduces blood flow, causing ischemia and mitochondrial dysfunction. ATP depletion leads to ion pump failure, membrane depolarization, sodium influx, potassium efflux, and water accumulation, resulting in cellular swelling. Increased intracellular calcium further disrupts mitochondria and accelerates cellular injury.Excitotoxicity and Neuronal...
01:27Peripheral Artery Disease III: Interprofessional Care
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is characterized by narrowed arteries that diminish blood flow to the extremities. Effective management of PAD requires an interprofessional approach involving various healthcare professionals. The critical aspects of interprofessional care for PAD patients focus on risk factor modification, drug therapy, exercise therapy, nutrition therapy, critical limb ischemia care, and interventional radiology and surgical procedures.The primary treatment goal for PAD...
01:10Spinal Cord: Information Processing
The spinal cord is an integral hub for motor and sensory information that enables the brain to communicate with the peripheral nervous system (PNS). This communication consists of relaying sensory data and transmission of motor commands.
Sensory Information Processing
Sensory information processing begins at the sensory receptors located in the skin and other tissues, which detect somatic sensory stimuli such as touch, temperature, or pain. These receptors function as catalysts, initiating...
Sensory Information Processing
Sensory information processing begins at the sensory receptors located in the skin and other tissues, which detect somatic sensory stimuli such as touch, temperature, or pain. These receptors function as catalysts, initiating...
01:26Spinal Cord
The spinal cord, a critical component of the central nervous system, extends from the base of the brainstem to the lumbar region of the vertebral column. It is essential for maintaining physical stability and facilitating communication between the brain and peripheral parts of the body.
01:30Specialized Care Centers and Settings-II
Rural Health Centers
Rural health centers are specialized care facilities in remote locations with very few medical personnel. The primary care providers who run the centers are mostly Registered Nurse Practitioners. Here, emergency treatment is provided to critically ill or injured patients before they are transferred to the closest hospital. Fortunately, due to advancement in technology, many rural healthcare facilities and professionals have easy access to diagnostic and treatment...
Rural health centers are specialized care facilities in remote locations with very few medical personnel. The primary care providers who run the centers are mostly Registered Nurse Practitioners. Here, emergency treatment is provided to critically ill or injured patients before they are transferred to the closest hospital. Fortunately, due to advancement in technology, many rural healthcare facilities and professionals have easy access to diagnostic and treatment...