The study and rehabilitation model development for disabled persons with spinal cord injury at the Sirindhorn National Medical Rehabilitation Institute

Abstract

Abstract

This research and development aimed to develop a rehabilitation model for disabled persons with spinal cord injury, the Sirindhorn national medical rehabilitation institute using primary nurses and study the outcomes of the model implementation. The sample consisted of 31 disabled persons with spinal cord injury, and 8 nurses, working at the outpatient unit. There were 3 phases: (1) situation analysis, (2) development and and testing the system, and 3) study the outcomes of the model implementation. The research tools composed of (1) general information questionnaire, (2) need assessment form of the disabled persons, (3) urinary tract infection assessment form, (4) recording form on continuous and monitoring care plan at home using tele-nursing, (5) pressure sore risk assessment form, (6) nurse satisfaction assessment form, (7) nurse-readiness appraisal form on the role of primary nurses, and (8) nursing practice observation form of the primary nurses. The content validity index ranged from 0.67 to 1.00, and Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.727. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, and paired t-test.

The results on the patients’ outcomes revealed that no incident of pressure sores and urinary tract infections of the patients after implemented the model. Pre-post model usage outcomes showed that patients had no pressure sores or urinary tract infections. The nurses were 100% satisfied in all three aspects after using the model. There was no statistically significant difference of the nurses' knowledge and understanding on the roles of primary nurses before and after using the model. Knowledge and abilities of the nurses, who received rehabilitation special training program, revealed that the nurses were able to perform all rehabilitation nursing activities at 100%. All of the disabled persons received tele-nursing at 100%.