Rehabilitation approaches after Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) differ across rehabilitation centres and between therapists. Differences may be influenced by factors such as therapeutic approaches, equipment availability, training provided for therapists, or demographics of admitted patients. A measure of physical function that is widely used within Canadian rehabilitation centres is the Standing and Walking Assessment Tool (SWAT). It is not clear what factors or therapeutic approaches lead to optimal standing and walking outcomes in the SCI population.
To explore the perspectives of physio-therapists on factors that affect standing and walking outcomes in inpatient SCI rehabilitation.
Three focus groups were conducted with nine physiotherapists representing seven inpatient rehabilitation centres across Canada to provide their perspectives on current practices and to gain in-depth insights into centre-specific factors that may influence standing and walking outcomes. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the focus group data.
Thematic analysis revealed that high treatment intensity and frequency are needed for optimal standing and walking outcomes. Physiotherapists emphasized that appropriate length of stay was essential to deliver an effective treatment plan. They noted, however, that there is pressure to discharge patients quickly leading to shorter length of stays and a perceived compromise in outcomes. Physiotherapists emphasized the importance of building rapport with patients, creating an exciting therapeutic environment, and the availability of enough staff for optimal recovery.
The findings of this qualitative study will inform the implementation and development of opportunities to optimize standing and walking outcomes across rehabilitation centres in Canada.
