Abstract
The social services of the German centres for spinal cord injuries compiled social data on 2000 recently injured paraplegics. The aim of the study was to determine whether and to what extent patients had been reintegrated to jobs after completion of physical rehabilitation treatment. A 31-point questionnaire surveyed all relevant data pertaining to the projected professional vita. The results for the medically rehabilitated population (n=651) indicate that 45% returned to their previous job, school or college. Intensified use of computers and advanced academic backgrounds of afflicted individuals contribute to a higher chance for reintegration at a previous job. Our social statistics also include data on living conditions and social support. Household caretaking support is offered by family members in 73% of cases, while 5% permanently live in nursing homes.
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Berghammer, A., Gramm, M., Vogler, L. et al. Investigation of the social status of paraplegic individuals after medical rehabilitation. Spinal Cord 35, 493–497 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.sc.3100414
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.sc.3100414
