Triangle of Healthy Caregiving for Spinal Cord-Injured Veterans
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a debilitating injury that results in chronic paralysis, impaired functioning and drastically altered quality of life (QOL). The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) is the single largest spinal cord injury (SCI) comprehensive healthcare provider in the nation serving approximately 450 newly injured veterans and active duty service members annually. In addition to requiring specialized clinical healthcare, SCI often results in physical limitations which heightens the role caregivers in SCI healthcare management. In spite ofthe presence of a caregiver, accessing SCI specialty care may be further challenged with development of complexities evident in chronic SCI, the effects of aging, transportation costs, or the distance to the VA hospital or outpatient services, therefore, methods to facilitate improved access are crucial. The "Triangle of Healthy Caregiving for SCI Veterans" is a patient-centered intervention which incorporates SCI Veterans' caregivers into the VA SCI healthcare team (HCT) and extends into the homes of SCI Veterans using real-time clinical video teleconferencing (CVT). CVT facilitate video-clinic visits, which include clinical evaluations, therapy (physical/occupational), or supportive services (e.g., social work). SCI Veterans' propensity to multiple secondary complications makes a healthy partnership crucial for the success of keeping better health and functional outcomes as well as quality of life. The goal of the current study is to qualitatively assess the acceptability and utilization of the "Triangle of Healthy Caregiving for SCI Veterans" intervention with SCI Veterans, caregivers, and healthcare teams to modify, improve, and refine the "Triangle of Healthy Caregiving for SCI Veterans" intervention.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2019
- Accession Number
- AD1087533
Entities
People
- Carol Gibson-gill