Recovery from SCI does not end with initial rehabilitation. Long-term health and quality of life depend on continuity of care, including access to specialized medical follow-up and comprehensive mental health support.
Medical Care Beyond Rehabilitation
After discharge from inpatient rehabilitation, individuals with SCI remain at increased risk for secondary health complications such as urinary tract infections, pressure injuries, pain, spasticity, and cardiovascular issues. Regular monitoring and proactive management are essential to prevent avoidable health crises and hospitalizations.
Continuity of care requires:
- Access to SCI-experienced primary care and specialist providers
- Coordinated multidisciplinary follow-up
- Patient education and self-management support
- Systems for early identification and intervention
- Routine psychological screening across the care continuum
- Access to counseling, peer support, and psychosocial interventions
- Integration of mental health into rehabilitation and community services
A lifelong, person-centered approach to both medical and mental health care is essential to ensure that individuals with SCI can thrive—physically, emotionally, and socially—well beyond the initial phase of rehabilitation.
The 'Medicine & Psychology' research group is dedicated to advancing knowledge at the intersection of medicine and psychology.
To learn more about the research on this group, we recommend reading the following publication:
Strøm V, Månum G, Arora M, Joseph C, Kyriakides A, Le Fort M, Osterthun R, Perrouin-Verbe B, Postma K, Middleton J. Physical Health Conditions in Persons with Spinal Cord Injury Across 21 Countries Worldwide. J Rehabil Med. 2022 Jun 29;54:jrm00302. doi: 10.2340/jrm.v54.2040. PMID: 35678293; PMCID: PMC9272839.
