When is it appropriate to deliver a prognosis to Korean persons with acute spinal cord injury?

Abstract

In cases of complete spinal cord injury (SCI), which has a poor probability of recovery, the timely delivery of a prognosis may be crucial to help patients adapt to their situation. The study aimed to help for choose the appropriate time for delivering a prognosis to persons with SCI. Three hundred and four members of the Korean SCI Association with complete SCI were surveyed regarding the time at which their prognosis was communicated and their views about the appropriate time for prognosis delivery. Demographic and injury characteristics were also collected. Respondents' experience and opinions on prognosis communication were analysed to assess potential associations with demographic and injury profiles. Participants' opinions regarding the time of prognosis delivery varied. Many respondents (44.1%) reported that the appropriate time would be within 1 month postinjury, whereas the others felt it should occur either between 1 and 3 months (29.3%) or more than 3 months (10.2%). The comparison of time of prognosis communication with the opinions showed that most would have preferred an earlier delivery of prognosis than they had experienced. Our findings provide insight to physicians on the appropriate time for delivering a prognosis to individuals with complete SCI.