Spinal Cord Injury: An Analysis of Medical and Social Costs"Spinal cord injury has devastating consequences for the person involved. An initial period of hospitalization is followed by a period of readjustment and rehabilitation in which the person with SCI must learn a new way of life. These changes have a cost that is borne by the person involved, their families and friends, and society at large.
These are the obvious direct costs that must be borne by persons with SCI or by someone on their behalf. When viewed from a societal point of view, SCI also imposes huge indirect costs. Such costs do not arise from anyone's purchase of goods or services but from the losses that come about as persons with SCI are forced to stop work or to reduce their productive activities. Taking these costs into account the authors estimate that:
This volume expands and updates information previously presented in 'The Economic Consequences of Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury,' reporting results from a new survey of the costs of spinal cord injury (SCI). It explores in detail the elements that make up both the medical and the nonmedical direct costs of SCI, focusing specifically on the costs of home modifications, vehicle adaptations, and wheelchairs. It also focuses on the determinants of employment for persons with this traumatic condition. The population sample was obtained by using lists supplied by hospitals that are members of the Spinal Cord Model Systems, together with names from the membership list of the Paralyzed Veterans of America. This volume is important reading for everyone who is involved in the acute management and long-term care of persons with SCI." |
Contents
1 | |
8 | |
Basic Demographics Injury Characteristics and Etiology of | 16 |
1 | 24 |
Indirect Costs of Spinal Cord Injury | 33 |
37 | 53 |
42 | 62 |