An eleven-part educational series from the University of Alabama Birmingham is available free over the Internet.
By Phil Klebine, MA; James F. Roper, MD; Susan Camp, ARNP; Cheryl Lane, CRNP, CWCN; Beth L. Dinoff, PhD; and Marca L. Sipski, MD
Management of secondary conditions is one of the more significant concerns of individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI). With shorter hospitalization lengths of stays following acute injuries, health care professionals have less time to provide patient education directed at preventing and managing the short- and long- term effects of impairment. Although the full effects of these shorter lengths of stay have yet to be determined with regards to the overall health and quality of life for persons with SCI, less education likely puts patients at an increased risk for eventual re-hospitalization due to medical issues. Therefore, both professionals and consumers are likely to benefit from educational materials that are easily understandable, accurate, affordable, and equally useful at home or in the rehabilitation facility.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and the Birmingham VA Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service recently completed a joint project intended to meet the educational needs of consumers. The Secondary Conditions of Spinal Cord Injury Health Education Video Series is an 11-part video series developed with grant funding by the Paralyzed Veterans of America Education Foundation. The series offers educational information and demonstrations allowing rehabilitation professionals to incorporate video, one of the more efficient means of providing useful education into their health care practices.
Consumers can also freely access the videos via the Internet. Free Internet access enables all persons with SCI to have easy, at-home access to gain and/or strengthen knowledge of possible health-related issues they may face while living with SCI. It is anticipated that these videos will expand the database of materials available for patients and professionals and positively impact management of conditions after discharge. Following is a list of these videos with short description of content.
Understanding Spinal Cord Injury and Functional Goals (26 minutes)—This video offers a basic understanding of the normal function of the spinal cord and the impact of impairment at different types and levels of injury. In addition, functional goals are addressed for levels of impairment.
Life with SCI: A Group Discussion (51 minutes)- -Adjustment to life with SCI is probably best understood by those who experience it. This video is an open discussion of five individuals with SCI and their experiences with short and long-term adjustment- related issues such as healthy grief, education, impact on relationships (self and partners), children, depression, and substance abuse.
Sexuality & Sexual Function (59 minutes)—The first part of this video explores the psychological aspects of sexuality, such as expressing sexuality, sexual adjustment, managing personal care issues, confronting issues with body image and working through relationship issues. The second part explores physical aspects of sex following SCI for both men and women. This includes arousal, sexual function and dysfunction, sexual activities, and fertility.
Bowel Management (25 minutes)—This video stresses bowel management and its importance on quality of life (QOL) issues, this video outlines how to predict bowel movements and avoid bowel accidents, and includes bowel care procedures, anatomical model demonstrations, impact of nutrition, water, medications on bowel management, and colostomy management.
Bladder Management (33 minutes)—This video outlines the importance of bladder management on QOL. Different choices for bladder management programs and techniques are demonstrated using both male and female anatomical the advantages and disadvantages of spasticity. General treatment options are also addressed, along with a general explanation of sensation and reflexes.
Respiratory Management (18 minutes)—This video covers signs, symptoms and general treatment options of potentially life- threatening conditions such as atelectasis, influenza, pneumonia, pulmonary embolisms, sleep apnea, and ventilator use. It also models. Prevention and discusses self-care issues treatment of urinary stone formation are also discussed.
Pressure Sores: Skin Care Prevention and Treatment (2 Parts)—Part 1 is a 41-minute video which describes skin function, risk factors for pressure sores and methods for prevention of pressure sores, such as proper seating, weight shifts, and nutrition. The impact of a pressure sore on QOL is also explored. Part II is a ten-minute video such as smoking cessation, congestion, vaccinations (influenza and pneumonia), and weight management.
Cardiovascular Health (38 minutes)—This video examines the signs, symptoms, and general treatment options of potentially life-threatening conditions such as autonomic dysreflexia, hypotension, and deep vein thrombosis. It also that utilizes an anatomical discusses self-care and offers model to demonstrate techniques for general care and treatment options for the four stages of pressure sores.
Pain Management (34 minutes)—This video stresses the importance of pain management for QOL. It covers pain subtypes (such as neuropathic, musculoskeletal, and visceral) and offers general medical and psychosocial management techniques.
Spastic Hypertonia (27 minutes)—This video defines spastic hypertonia (spasticity), and explains general recommendations for maintaining heart health, including emergency treatment responses.
Bone Health (19 minutes)— This video discusses aspects of heterotopic ossification (its classifications, etiology, diagnosis, prevention and treatment options) and osteoporosis (its initial bone loss after traumatic injury, impact of aging, impact of menopause, prevention and treatment options).
All eleven videos are available free over the Internet or for purchase on DVD. The video series is featured on the SPINALCORD Injury Information Network web site maintained by the UAB Model Spinal Cord Injury System. Each video is available for download or streaming video via the web site at www.spinalcord.uab.edu/show.asp?durki=97417. The web page also provides a printable order form to purchase the higher quality DVD format for $30.
This article was adapted for Action from a research article first published in SCI Nursing 24.2, the official journal of the American Association of Spinal Cord Injury Nurses. SCI Nursing may be accessed at no charge through the AASCIN website, www.aascin.org.
The authors are faculty and staff at the University of Alabama- Birmingham hospitals and School of Medicine.
