Information Needs of People With Spinal Cord Injuries

Background/Objective: To determine the information needs, level of Internet access, and current and preferred formats and sources of information of adults with spinal cord injuries (SCIs). Individuals with SCIs have a high lifetime risk for medical complications and other health conditions secondary to their injury. Many secondary conditions can be prevented or mitigated through appropriate self-care and/or self-management. People with SCIs need timely, high-quality information about health and medical issues after discharge and throughout their lifetime to improve self-care and maximize quality of life. Methods: A survey was administered as part of the third time point of a longitudinal research study on individuals with SCI. Results: A total of 80.2% of the 277 respondents reported having Internet access. The most frequently selected format used currently and preferred by respondents for receiving SCI information was Web pages/Internet. The top-ranked current and preferred source of SCI information was from a Physician: SCI Expert/Rehabilitation Specialist. Respondents reported needing information on medical issues the most. Significantly higher percentages of individuals identified as white and with higher education levels had access to the Internet and ranked the selection of Web pages/Internet as their top choice. Conclusions: Results confirm that, although people with SCI prefer to receive SCI information from SCI experts, the Internet is a more accessible and more currently used source. Educational level and race predicted current and preferred use of the Internet for obtaining SCI information, suggesting that Internet distribution of SCI information will exclude subgroups.