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. 2025 Nov;47(23):6155-6167.
doi: 10.1080/09638288.2025.2476037. Epub 2025 Mar 9.

Setting me up or holding me back? Perspectives of people with spinal cord injury on rehabilitation supports at inpatient discharge and 3-months post-discharge

Emily Bray  1 , Rachel Brough  1 , Rachel Jones  1   2 , Letitia Burridge  1 , Timothy Geraghty  1   2   3 , Jessie Mitchell  1 , Christy Hogan  1 , Delena Amsters  1   2 , Kerrin Watter  1   4 , Greg Ungerer  2 , Melissa Kendall  1   2 , Tamara Ownsworth  1   5
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Free article

Setting me up or holding me back? Perspectives of people with spinal cord injury on rehabilitation supports at inpatient discharge and 3-months post-discharge

Emily Bray et al. Disabil Rehabil. 2025 Nov.
Free article

Abstract

Purpose: The transition from hospital to the community following spinal cord injury (SCI) is a significant and challenging time. Rehabilitation aims to equip individuals with the skills and resources required to navigate this transition. This study explored the rehabilitation priorities of people with SCI, expectations for rehabilitation supports at discharge from inpatient rehabilitation, and experiences of rehabilitation supports at 3-months post-discharge.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with people with SCI at discharge (n = 26) and 3-months post-discharge (n = 23) from the Spinal Injuries Unit in Queensland, Australia. Data were thematically analysed using the Framework method.

Results: The analysis identified three themes. Theme 1 (Resuming life and what matters to me) depicted how people re-evaluated their priorities in terms of activities and roles post-discharge. Themes 2 (Setting me up) and 3 (Holding me back) reflected variations in the match between individuals' expectations and experiences of rehabilitation supports. Coordinated and personalised supports received during the transition aided adaptation to life in the community, whereas lack of appropriate or timely supports hindered adjustment and progress.

Conclusion: Individuals' expectations of progress and rehabilitation priorities often change in the first few months post-discharge after SCI. Personalised, responsive and coordinated rehabilitation supports are essential for supporting community adjustment.

Keywords: Spinal cord injury; health services; qualitative research; rehabilitation; transition to community.

Plain language summary

After spinal cord injury, individuals’ rehabilitation priorities and expectations of progress about regaining former functionality and resuming valued life activities are often unmet by 3-months post-discharge.Access to ongoing and well-coordinated rehabilitation supports post-discharge is important to maintain individuals’ sense of momentum in achieving their rehabilitation prioritiesTimely and personalised support to identify solutions to unanticipated challenges in the community following discharge is recommendedAccess to mental health support is important to support individuals’ psychological adjustment to life in the community after spinal cord injury.

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