Weaver Frances M, Burns Stephen P, Evans Charlesnika T, Rapacki Lauren M, Goldstein Barry, Hammond Margaret C
Center for Complex Chronic Care and the Spinal Cord Injury Quality Enhancement Research Initiative, Hines VA Hospital, Hines, IL 60141, USA.
Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2009 Mar;90(3):517-21. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2008.09.560.
The military conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have resulted in many soldiers returning with serious combat injuries, including spinal cord injuries (SCIs). The purpose of this study was to query providers regarding any unique problems or needs in a cohort of these soldiers treated in Veterans Health Administration (VHA) SCI Centers.
Semistructured questionnaire.
Seventeen VHA SCI Centers.
Thirty-eight providers, including physicians, nurses, therapists, social workers, and psychologists who volunteered to return completed questionnaires.
Not applicable.
Identification of medical and psychosocial issues, rehabilitation delays, therapy and vocational needs, social support, and discharge planning.
Providers identified several injuries and conditions beyond SCI that were experienced by these soldiers including fractures, pressure ulcers, traumatic brain injuries, posttraumatic stress disorder, and resistant infections. Rehabilitation was often delayed because these problems needed to be addressed first. Soldiers' family and friends provide considerable support. Vocational needs include use of technology, especially computers; education; and participation in sports. Although most return to the community after discharge, many soldiers are still active duty, and some return to military base housing.
Combat soldiers returning with SCI often have additional medical and psychosocial problems that require appropriate and timely intervention. They have strong support from family and friends and are motivated to integrate back into the community after discharge.
伊拉克和阿富汗的军事冲突致使许多士兵带着严重战伤回国，其中包括脊髓损伤（SCI）。本研究的目的是向医疗服务提供者询问在退伍军人健康管理局（VHA）脊髓损伤中心接受治疗的这类士兵群体中存在的任何独特问题或需求。
半结构化问卷。
17个VHA脊髓损伤中心。
38名医疗服务提供者，包括自愿返回填写完整问卷的医生、护士、治疗师、社会工作者和心理学家。
不适用。
确定医疗和心理社会问题、康复延迟、治疗和职业需求、社会支持及出院计划。
医疗服务提供者指出这些士兵除脊髓损伤外还存在多种损伤和状况，包括骨折、压疮、创伤性脑损伤、创伤后应激障碍和耐药感染。由于这些问题需要首先解决，康复往往会延迟。士兵的家人和朋友提供了相当大的支持。职业需求包括技术应用，尤其是计算机；教育；以及参与体育活动。尽管大多数士兵出院后返回社区，但许多仍在服现役，一些人回到军事基地住房。
带着脊髓损伤回国的参战士兵往往还存在其他医疗和心理社会问题，需要进行适当及时的干预。他们得到家人和朋友的大力支持，并且有动力在出院后重新融入社区。
