TY - JOUR
T1 - Rehabilitation of Danish veterans with spinal cord injuries during international missions
AU - Holm, Nicolaj Jersild
AU - Noe, Bodil Bjørnshave
AU - Hoffmann, Dorte Dahl
AU - Biering-Sørensen, Fin
PY - 2015/1
Y1 - 2015/1
N2 - INTRODUCTION: In the past decades, Danish soldiers have participated more frequently in combat which has resulted in an increased number of severe injuries. The aim of this study was to describe the initial treatment and rehabilitation as well as the level of function, employment, social relations, participation in leisure time activities, health, quality of life (QoL) and late complications at a follow-up in six veterans who sustained a spinal cord injury (SCI) during international military missions.METHODS: Medical records were retrieved regarding the initial treatment and rehabilitation. Questionnaires based on international experience related to SCI were used.RESULTS: The six male veterans were generally satisfied with their rehabilitation and found that they had influenced its course. All veterans had consultation with psychologists during hospitalisation, and two were advised to attend further consultations with military psychologists following discharge. The length of hospitalisation corresponded to the mean hospitalisation period for SCI patients in Denmark. At discharge, the veterans were independent with regard to clothing, toileting and mobility. All resumed work after discharge, five in the military. Satisfaction with their current work was related to whether their work skills corresponded to the work tasks at hand. Four found that their QoL was very good, one that it was satisfactory, another that it was unsatisfactory.CONCLUSION: Danish veterans with SCI were generally satisfied with their initial rehabilitation. They regained independence, and all returned to work.FUNDING: government funding via the Veteran's policy programme.TRIAL REGISTRATION: GLO-2012-10.
AB - INTRODUCTION: In the past decades, Danish soldiers have participated more frequently in combat which has resulted in an increased number of severe injuries. The aim of this study was to describe the initial treatment and rehabilitation as well as the level of function, employment, social relations, participation in leisure time activities, health, quality of life (QoL) and late complications at a follow-up in six veterans who sustained a spinal cord injury (SCI) during international military missions.METHODS: Medical records were retrieved regarding the initial treatment and rehabilitation. Questionnaires based on international experience related to SCI were used.RESULTS: The six male veterans were generally satisfied with their rehabilitation and found that they had influenced its course. All veterans had consultation with psychologists during hospitalisation, and two were advised to attend further consultations with military psychologists following discharge. The length of hospitalisation corresponded to the mean hospitalisation period for SCI patients in Denmark. At discharge, the veterans were independent with regard to clothing, toileting and mobility. All resumed work after discharge, five in the military. Satisfaction with their current work was related to whether their work skills corresponded to the work tasks at hand. Four found that their QoL was very good, one that it was satisfactory, another that it was unsatisfactory.CONCLUSION: Danish veterans with SCI were generally satisfied with their initial rehabilitation. They regained independence, and all returned to work.FUNDING: government funding via the Veteran's policy programme.TRIAL REGISTRATION: GLO-2012-10.
KW - Adult
KW - Denmark
KW - Follow-Up Studies
KW - Humans
KW - Interpersonal Relations
KW - Male
KW - Patient Satisfaction
KW - Quality of Life
KW - Return to Work
KW - Spinal Cord Injuries
KW - Veterans
KW - Warfare
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 25557328
VL - 62
SP - A4983
JO - Danish Medical Journal
JF - Danish Medical Journal
SN - 2245-1919
IS - 1
ER -