Priorities for support service needs among individuals with spinal cord injury

• DOI: 10.1038/s41393-025-01079-9
• Publication Date: 2025-05-01T05:04:42Z
• Authors: Hye Jin Nam; Haesun Lee; Ju Young Yoon

Abstract

Study design Cross-sectional survey.

Objectives This study aims to identify and prioritize the gaps between the required and current levels of support services for individuals with SCI in South Korea.

Setting Community.

Methods The cross-sectional analysis involved 532 participants who are members of the Korea Spinal Cord Injury Association. These participants were recruited through the 2021 Survey on Needs of People with SCI, conducted via face-to-face interviews by trained investigators. The survey assesses the demand and current levels of 11 key support services. The Borich needs assessment and the locus for focus model were employed to identify the priorities of these services.

Results Results indicated significant disparities between the required and current levels across all services. Among the 532 participants, 70.1% were male and the average age was 49.6 years. The highest priority services were identified as “support for caregiver costs,” “livelihood security,” “health management,” and “home modification”. Secondary priorities included “training for daily living activities” and “vocational rehabilitation.”

Conclusions The study emphasizes the importance of aligning service provision with the specific needs of the SCI population to enhance their quality of life and promote successful reintegration into the community. The findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive support systems to address the economic and functional challenges of individuals with SCI. Policymakers and service providers are encouraged to focus on these identified priorities to better meet the needs of individuals with SCI, to ensure their sustained independence and improved well-being.