Services for spinal cord injured: availability and satisfaction

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Health Services Research
• Disability Studies

Background:

• Service delivery for Spinal Cord Injured (SCI) populations is crucial for community integration.
• While access to equipment and adaptations is generally high in the Netherlands, user satisfaction with these services remains under-examined.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the availability and user satisfaction with domestic adaptations, wheelchairs, and transportation for individuals with SCI in the Netherlands.
• To analyze the relationship between satisfaction with services and functional health status and life satisfaction.

Main Methods:

• A survey was conducted with 318 individuals with SCI (aged 18-65) living in the community.
• Data collected included availability of accessible housing, adaptations, wheelchairs, transportation, and satisfaction with services using self-developed questionnaires.
• Functional health status (SIP68) and life satisfaction (LSQ) were assessed and correlated with satisfaction scores.

Main Results:

• High availability of domestic adaptations (78.3% satisfied) and multiple wheelchairs was reported.
• Significant user complaints existed regarding both manual (35.9%) and electric wheelchairs (47.5%).
• Satisfaction with available services was acceptable, but satisfaction with service delivery procedures was very low. Adapted car ownership correlated with independent driving.

Conclusions:

• Despite good access to resources, low satisfaction with service delivery procedures for Spinal Cord Injured individuals in the Netherlands is a significant issue.
• Satisfaction with available services positively correlates with functional health status and life satisfaction.
• Further research is recommended to improve service delivery procedures for this population.