Introduction

Spinal cord injury results in loss of motor function, sensation, and bowel and bladder control. Rehabilitation focuses on preventing secondary complications associated with mobility loss. Various technologies can provide mechanical assistance to help patients regain walking ability or upper limb function. This course provides an introduction to spinal cord injury, covering the history of spinal cord rehabilitation, aetiology, epidemiology, classification systems, spinal cord injury syndromes, common complications, prognosis, and factors affecting outcomes.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this course you will be able to:

• discuss the history, aetiology and epidemiology of spinal cord injury
• describe complications following spinal cord injury
• explain the classification of spinal cord injuries and differences between incomplete spinal cord injury syndromes
• discuss the prognosis and outcomes of spinal cord injuries

Target audience

This course is aimed at rehabilitation professionals, students and assistants including but not limited to Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Rehabilitation Doctors, Rehabilitation Nurses, Prosthetists, Orthotists, Psychologists, Audiologists, Dietetics, Social Workers. Community Health Workers, Nurses or Medical Doctors interested in this subject are also invited to participate.

Practicalities

• Availability - this course is online and can be completed on your own schedule.
• Hours of Learning - No deadlines are applied to this course and it can be started and completed in your own time according to your personal schedule. We expect the required elements to take around 1-1.5 hours depending on your schedule and learning style. Additionally there are many optional resources provided and if you choose to review these the course could take longer to complete.
• Types of Activities - This course includes instructional and/or practical videos, reading activities, AI supported learning activities, reflection, evaluation forms, a quiz and additional resources.
• Certificates - At the end of the course, when you have completed all of the required elements, you will be able to download a certificate of completion and 1.1 Plus points will be added to your personalised learning dashboard.

Instructor financial and non-financial disclosures

Melanie Harding (Skeen): No financial relationships disclosed by instructor.
Non-financial disclosure: Melanie Harding is the Chairman of SASCA (Southern African Spinal Cord Association)

Accessibility and Non-Discrimination Policy

Physiopedia Plus is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible learning environment for all participants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, national origin, religion, sex, disability, military status, sexual orientation or age in any aspect of our continuing education services. We are dedicated to ensuring that all learners can fully participate in our programmes. Participants who require accommodations or have special needs are encouraged to contact us with details so that we can make all reasonable efforts to meet these requirements.