Project Name
A Multidisciplinary Approach to Translating New Knowledge into Practice to Promote Health and Well-Being after Spinal Cord Injury.
Grant Number
90DP0098
Tool Type
Assessments
Tool Class
Nonengineering Tool
Disability Targeted
Spinal Cord Injury
Study Target
Individuals with spinal cord injuries
Study Goal
This is a tool to help people understand the risk of unintentional injuries among people with spinal cord injury (SCI). Unintentional injuries are unplanned and unexpected. Examples include broken bones, dislocations, burns, and cuts. This tool is based on our study of 4670 people with SCI. It focuses on unintentional injuries where one has been injured seriously enough to receive medical care in a clinic, emergency room, or hospital. We will show the probability of having at least one unintentional injury in a 12 month time frame. This is based on identifying how other people with SCI who have completed the same basic questions.The estimates give a general idea of risk and what places people with SCI at risk for unintentional injuries. They will help people to see how likely, on average, to have an unintentional injury based on a number of factors, including health behaviors. It is based on our research. Findings vary from study to study, so the estimates again are only to give a general idea of an individual’s risk compared to that of others with similar characteristics. It also will help people to see how they can reduce their risk of unintentional injuries.
Tool Admin
Can be self administered.
Ease of Use
Very Easy
Time to Complete
Brief
Skills Needed
None
Equipment Required
None
How Administered
Web-based anonymous form.
Scope
Level of injury, years post injury demographics, use of prescription medications, use of alcohol.
Development Methodology
Our Unintentional Injuries Calculator used the following factors: 1. Sex 2. Current age 3. Years post-injury 4. Walking status 5. SCI neurological level 6. Race/ethnicity 7. Household income 8. Weight status 9. Alcohol misuse 10. Non-medical substance misuse 11. Frequency of prescription medication usage 12. Prescription medication misuseSource of data: The data upon which the calculations are based are taken from a study of behavioral factors and unintentional injuries (Cao, DiPiro, Li, Roesler, and Krause, 2019).
Other Purposes
Specific to SCI
Limitations
There are factors that relate to risk of unintentional injuries that are not accounted for within this formula. We are unable to include other factors because we have used findings from a single study.
Is Tool Free
Yes
Tool Contact
Melinda Jarnecke, jarnecke@musc.edu
Contact Name
Melinda Jarnecke