Perspectives from the spinal cord injury community with teleSCI services during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study

Dean, Nikolaus A; Marwaha, Arshdeep; Grasdal, Mark; Leong, Sarah; Mesa, Adam; Krassioukov, Andrei V.; Bundon, Andrea

doi:10.1080/17483107.2022.2096932

Cited by 7 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…To better understand why the use of telehealth was relatively low despite positive thoughts toward telehealth, we selected 12 willing respondents to complete a semi-structured interview exploring the effect of COVID-19 on the SCI community with a focus on mental health and the potentials and pitfalls of telehealth. 31 Those who responded "yes" to having used telehealth used it for a variety of different services including seeing their family physician, specialists, physical therapists, and occupational therapists, and for counseling services. Most used it for multiple services.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This was surprising because a majority of respondents thought positively about telehealth. To better understand why the use of telehealth was relatively low despite positive thoughts toward telehealth, we selected 12 willing respondents to complete a semi‐structured interview exploring the effect of COVID‐19 on the SCI community with a focus on mental health and the potentials and pitfalls of telehealth 31 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effect of the COVID‐19 pandemic on individuals with spinal cord injury: Mental health and use of telehealth

Mesa

Grasdal

Leong³

et al. 2022

PM&R

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Introduction Limited access to health care services and the self‐isolation measures due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic may have had additional unintended negative effects, affecting the health of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Objectives To examine the perceived influence of the COVID‐19 pandemic on individuals with SCI. First, this study looked to understand how the pandemic affected the use and perception of telehealth services for these individuals. Second, it investigated the effect of COVID‐19 on mental health. Design Cross‐sectional online survey. Setting Individuals with SCI living in the community in British Columbia, Canada. Patients This survey was offered to individuals with SCI and had 71 respondents, with 34% living in a rural setting and 66% in an urban setting. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Telehealth utility, Patient Health Questionnaire‐9 (PHQ‐9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD‐7), Fear of COVID‐19 scale (FCV‐19S), and Perceived Vulnerability to Disease (PVD). Results Telehealth use in the SCI population has increased from 9.9% to 25.4% over the pandemic, with rates of telehealth use in urban centers nearing those of rural participants. Thirty‐one percent of respondents had probable depression and 7.0% had probable generalized anxiety disorder as measured by a score of ≥10 on the PHQ‐9 and GAD‐7, respectively. The mean scores on FCV‐19S and PVD were 17.0 (6.6 SD) and 4.29 (1.02 SD), respectively. Conclusion Telehealth use during COVID‐19 has more than doubled. It is generally well regarded by respondents, although only a fourth of the SCI population has reported its use. With this in mind, it is important to understand the barriers to further adoption. In addition, higher rates of probable depression were seen than those estimated by pre‐pandemic studies in other countries.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of the COVID‐19 pandemic on individuals with spinal cord injury: Mental health and use of telehealth

Mesa

Grasdal

Leong³

et al. 2022

PM&R

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“…three were conducted in in-patient settings [ 36 , 38 , 44 ], two were conducted in both outpatient and in-patient settings [ 47 , 50 ], and one study’s setting was not described [ 42 ]. Fourteen studies were published in 2022 [ 9 , 17 , 31 – 35 , 39 – 41 , 43 – 46 ], seven were published in 2021 [ 2 , 30 , 36 , 37 , 42 , 47 – 49 ] and three were published in 2020 [ 29 , 38 , 50 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of the COVID-19 virus and pandemic on healthcare utilization, access, delivery, experiences, and outcomes in the spinal cord injuries/dysfunction population: A scoping review study

Senthinathan,

Cimino,

Jaglal

et al. 2024

PLoS ONE

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Background Individuals with spinal cord injuries or disease (SCI/D) require frequent healthcare services. The COVID-19 pandemic may have impacted healthcare. Furthermore, due to secondary health conditions and comorbidities persons with SCI/D are at increased risk of experiencing severe symptoms or outcomes if infected with the COVID-19 virus. It is unclear to what extent research has investigated the pandemic and virus impacts on the SCI/D population. Objective To identify and summarize what is reported in the literature on the impact the COVID-19 virus and pandemic had on healthcare, health outcomes, and experiences in the adult SCI/D population. Methods Electronic databases and grey literature were searched for articles that included an adult population with a SCI/D and investigated the impact the COVID-19 virus and pandemic had on healthcare-related outcomes and experiences. Articles were double screened, and data were extracted, and synthesized to provide a descriptive summary of the findings. Results Twenty-four studies were included in this review with eight qualitative, fifteen quantitative, and one mixed methods study. Sixteen studies investigated healthcare utilization/access; nine investigated care delivery, nine investigated patient outcomes, and eight investigated patient experiences, with multiple studies spanning different categories of investigation. The pandemic was detrimental to healthcare utilization, access, and outcomes, but no studies quantified these changes. Virtual care was well-received by the SCI/D population to maintain continuity of care. The SCI/D population had issues with maintaining caregiving support. It was unclear if the COVID-19 virus infection impacted individuals with SCI/D differently than the general population. Conclusions This scoping review found the pandemic negatively impacted multiple aspects of healthcare in individuals with SCI/D, however further investigation on health outcomes is required. More research, particularly large-scale quantitative studies, investigating healthcare access, utilization, and delivery, as well as patient outcomes and experiences is needed to improve care in the SCI/D population post-pandemic onset.

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“…In addition to closed, delayed, or rationed services, participants were confronted with their own selfpreservation instincts of not wanting to interact with services for fear of contracting COVID-19 [7]. Although intended to alleviate concerns about loss of face-to-face interactions, the rapid growth in telehealth consultations was found to generate new challenges related to unfamiliar or unreliable technology, as well as safety concerns, for example when undertaking physical therapy virtually [4,5,8]. Service users and providers were challenged by the scarcity and higher cost of supplies and by uncertain service accessibility and safety.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For people with SCI, this has curtailed routine healthcare, rehabilitation, and outpatient services, with earlier discharge from inpatient rehabilitation for people who are COVID-negative and suspended or temporarily reduced admissions [4,6,7]. Te use of telemedicine/telerehabilitation and home care has increased to support people at home [4,8], but further evidence is required to assess comparability with inperson consultations across a range of clinical interactions [9,10]. Additionally, changes in service delivery and system capacity have negatively impacted on social and mental wellbeing of staf and the social contact between people with SCI, their families, and health professionals [4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impacts and Vulnerabilities for People Living with Spinal Cord Injury and Their Service Systems of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Queensland, Australia

Hogan

Burridge

Foster

et al. 2023

Health & Social Care in the Community

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As part of a larger study examining the perceived impacts of health system stress in Queensland, Australia, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, this study explored the experiences and perspectives of a sample of people with spinal cord injury (SCI) and critical stakeholders to identify secondary complications, access concerns, and potential solutions in the context of the pandemic. This study utilised a multimethods qualitative design. Thirty-four people with SCI completed an online survey between August and November 2021, recruited from an online Spinal Life Australia Peer Support Group. Sixteen SCI expert stakeholders, recruited from the Queensland Spinal Cord Injuries Services, consumer support organisations, and funding agencies, participated in one of two expert stakeholder forums in September 2021, focusing on impacts of the pandemic on the services they provided. Survey and forum results were analysed thematically. Results highlighted service disruption wherein people with SCI faced difficulty accessing health and community services (including rehabilitation) and personal supports. Reduced access led to secondary complications in physical health, psychosocial, and occupational domains. Solutions for safeguarding access to care, including action-ready back-up plans, effective technology and training, collaboration of service networks, and forward planning for system disruption, consumables access, staff support, and advocacy are required to best support vulnerable populations and the supporting staff in times of crisis. In conclusion, COVID-19 disrupted access to specialist SCI and mainstream health, rehabilitation, and social care services, resulting in functional decline and physical and psychosocial complications. While people with SCI and their service providers attempted to innovate and solve problems to overcome service access barriers, this is not possible in all situations. Improved planning and preparation for future system disruptions mitigates risks and better protects vulnerable populations and service providers in times of severe system stress.

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Perspectives from the spinal cord injury community with teleSCI services during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study

Cited by 7 publications

References 46 publications

Effect of the COVID‐19 pandemic on individuals with spinal cord injury: Mental health and use of telehealth

Effect of the COVID‐19 pandemic on individuals with spinal cord injury: Mental health and use of telehealth

The impact of the COVID-19 virus and pandemic on healthcare utilization, access, delivery, experiences, and outcomes in the spinal cord injuries/dysfunction population: A scoping review study

The Impacts and Vulnerabilities for People Living with Spinal Cord Injury and Their Service Systems of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Queensland, Australia

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