Workshop (Clinical/Best Practice Implementation) ID 2002364

Abstract

Spinal cord injury (SCI) affects every aspect of a person’s bodily functions. As such, for a person to survive and strive in the community after SCI, both a comprehensive and effective rehabilitation program, as well as life-sustaining healthcare (i.e., SCI-specific medical services, equipment, and supplies) is needed. Although Canada has a publicly funded universal healthcare system, provinces have flexibility in determining how rehabilitation is delivered and in defining ‘essential’ healthcare. This workshop will consist of two lectures on current standards of care in acute SCI rehabilitation and provision of life-sustaining SCI healthcare services, equipment, and supplies in Canada, followed by an initial overview of standards in other comparable countries and discussion of next steps for developing equity and consistency in Canada for SCI rehabilitation and provision of SCI-related healthcare needs. Upon completion of this workshop, attendees will understand: