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Patient-Provider Communication in Spinal Cord Injury: A Scoping Review and Call for Further Research
Clara Häfliger1,2, Nicola Diviani1,2, Sara Rubinelli1,2
1Swiss Paraplegic Research, Nottwil, Switzerland.
Topics in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation
|November 21, 2025
Summary
Effective patient-provider communication is crucial for spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation. This review highlights current research, identifies communication gaps, and calls for tailored strategies to improve outcomes for patients and healthcare providers (HCPs).
Area of Science:
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Health Communication
- Patient-Provider Interaction
Background:
- Spinal cord injury (SCI) presents significant biopsychosocial challenges.
- Effective patient-provider communication is critical but complex in SCI.
- Existing research offers insights but also reveals substantial gaps.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a comprehensive scoping review of research on patient-provider communication in SCI.
- To analyze the focus, methodology, and findings of current SCI communication research.
- To identify critical research gaps in patient-provider communication within SCI.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search across six major databases (CINAHL, PubMed, PsycInfo, Cochrane, Web of Science, Science Direct).
- Thematic analysis of results from 30 included studies.
- Inclusion of studies focusing on patient and/or healthcare provider (HCP) perspectives.
Main Results:
- Current research predominantly focuses on verbal communication and information delivery.
- Key influencing factors identified include HCP communication skills, patient preferences, and interprofessional dynamics.
- Positive outcomes reported include increased patient engagement/satisfaction and improved HCP work satisfaction/reduced stress.
Conclusions:
- Significant gaps exist in SCI communication research, notably in partnership-building, digital/written communication, and intervention studies.
- There is a critical need for tailored, person-centered communication strategies in SCI rehabilitation.
- Further research is essential to develop and evaluate communication interventions benefiting both patients and HCPs, focusing on long-term impacts.
