Disclosures: Camilo M. Castillo, MD, MBA:

Objective: The lack of standard clinical practice guidelines in rehabilitation care in Latin America (LA) negatively affects patient outcomes, particularly in spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation. Educating both providers and patients is critical to reducing secondary complications and improving patients’ quality of life. This study outlines the current state of SCI rehabilitation in LA and proposes initiatives to overcome identified barriers.

Design: Online surveysSetting : International surveyParticipants : Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) and other health care providers from 17 LA countries

Interventions: n/a

Main Outcome Measures: Assess the prevalence of SCI-specific training in acute and post-acute settings and rehabilitation interventions—feasibility of incorporation of innovative technology to improve care and education.

Results: Responses obtained from the administration of five surveys (n=2,194) showed a range from 0-56 years of expertise in the profession (mean=8.5, sd= 8.2), of whom only 31% reported receiving SCI-specific training. Responders report a delay of PM&R involvement in SCI care (average 39 days post-injury). The secondary complications most commonly observed in their practice were: pressure injuries (84%), urinary tract infections (73%), and hemodynamic instability (34%). Only 10% considered their practice was appropriate for SCI care, and 51% considered lack of resources as the most significant barrier to quality care. Ninety-six percent of PM&R professionals want to receive evidence-based training on SCI and considered that doing so through technological means could be beneficial.Conclusions: Although LA countries have significant rehabilitation barriers, the interest in SCI rehabilitation training is startling. Educational materials in Spanish and the creation of SCI-specific interdisciplinary groups help to bridge the gap to access to quality evidence-based care. Mobile technology is an affordable and convenient alternative to disseminate standards of care and enhance LA providers’ ability to care for SCI individuals acutely and help prevent complications, improving their function and quality of life.

Level of Evidence: Level IV

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PM&R Meeting Abstracts - https://pmrjabstracts.org/abstract/the-state-of-spinal-cord-injury-sci-rehabilitation-in-latin-america-la-challenges-and-opportunities/