Comprehensive education for those concerned with spinal cord injury patients

The Commonwealth of Virginia has established a comprehensive programme for the management of the spinal cord injury (SCI) patients from the moment of injury through all aspects of rehabilitation into long-term follow-up. An average of 200 new patients are registered per year. A major emphasis of our programme has been the education of the patients and their relations and friends by means of group education of the patients and family follow-up contact, 'Family Days,' group lectures on selected topics, individual discussions, and discharge conferences. Audio-visual aids augment the programme. Patients are provided with printed literature on SCI for their own review and this is subsequently discussed with them. We have worked with the Emergency Rescue Team on early management; and education on prophylaxis has been carried out in the school systems statewide. Public awareness of the problems of the physically handicapped has been encouraged. Through our follow-up clinic we are attempting to reach the community facilities and community physicians, making them aware of the problem of SCI and discussing with them facilities that are available to assist in their management. While much has been accomplished we still have a long way to go.