Best practice for occupational therapists working with individuals with spinal cord injuries: Life after hospitalization (April 12, 2022)

Long after their injury, individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI) continue to experience a myriad of medical, functional, and psychosocial challenges.  Occupational therapy offers new approaches, interventions and technologies to meet these challenges following hospitalization and throughout the lifespan.  

This webinar will discuss the role of occupational therapy with individuals with SCI during their post hospitalization phase in outpatient settings and in their home and community.  Long-term challenges such as chronic pain, upper extremity weakness, and the prevention of pressure ulcers will be discussed.  Additionally, the webinar will describe a program for individuals with SCI informed by Lifestyle Redesign® and will summarize pressure ulcer prevention studies carried out jointly by USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy and Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center both located in Southern California.    

After taking part in this webinar, participants will be able to: 

1. Identify the long-term physical challenges for individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI). 
2. Describe evidence-based occupational therapy for the individual with SCI following the inpatient rehabilitation phase.  
3. Describe a program for individuals with SCI informed by Lifestyle Redesign®.

Level 
Intermediate (3-5 years of experience in this specific area of practice