SCI care involves more than treating just the
medical and physiologic consequences of the injury.
Comprehensive rehabilitation services must include
a highly specialized interdisciplinary approach
that addresses medical, physiologic, functional,
psychological, and social issues. All interdisciplinary
team members must be able to recognize the
unique needs of this population and implement
interventions to maximize patient outcomes. Team
members should understand the International
Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal
Cord Injury (ISNCSCI) as well as the relationship
of these standards to prognosis for recovery and
anticipated functional outcomes.14,16-18 They should
be knowledgeable about and strive to prevent the
costly medical complications that are common
in persons with SCI/D and that impact activities
of daily living (ADLs) and functional mobility.
It is important to appreciate the psychosocial
impact of SCI/D and to be able to address issues of
adjustment. The team must be able to implement
complex discharge plans and arrange for lifelong
follow-up and health promotion. Providers
must be able to educate and train patients and
their caregivers, utilizing efficient methods to
facilitate learning during today’s limited lengths
of stay. Further, providers should be able to adapt
their educational style to the learning abilities
and cultural identities of those they are teaching.
Practitioners in every discipline should be licensed
and/or certified as required by the state or national
organization to meet and maintain ethical and
statutory requirements.