Spinal injury lead clinicians

Area of interest Spinal Injuries
CSP status unrecognised group
Who can join? Membership is open to senior and superintendent physiotherapists who work in the field of spinal injuries.
What is expected of members? Members are expected to contribute to the group's work to develop national collaborative policy and to monitor, audit, and develop standards. Clinical governance is also a priority for the group.
How does the group support members' continuing professional development/lifelong learning?

Peer support/mentorship
Support is available informally through membership. A spinal injury unit contact list is available via the CSP or by contacting any Spinal Injuries Unit (SIU) physiotherapy department.

Suggested reading list
A list is produced in conjunction with the MASCIP.

Conferences and study days
Conferences and study days are organised with the MASCIP.

Formal courses offered/recommended
The Bobath incomplete SCI course is recommended. Spinal Injuries weekend workshops are also run. These can be accessed by staff working in the national spinal injuries units or, if open to others, they are advertised in Frontline.

Links with other groups/organisations
The group works closely with the MASCIP and has links with physiotherapy clinical interest groups including the ACPM and ACPRC. The group links with the AOCP and ACPIN for risk assessment protocols. There is also contact with Spinal Injury Scotland, the International Spinal Research Trust, Back Up and INSPIRE - a charity based at the Duke of Cornwall Spinal Treatment Centre in Salisbury.

How does the group promote research and evaluation? Published evidence-based material
CSP (1997), Standards of physiotherapy practice for the management of people with spinal cord lesions, available from the CSP
Outcome measures The following are recommended:
World Health Organisation Classification (1980), International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities and Handicaps (ICIDH) - a manual classification relating to the consequences of disease, WHO, Geneva
Hamilton BB, Granger CV (1991), Functional independence measure (FIM) - A rehabilitation uniform data system, Buffalo, New York
Whiteneck GC, Charlifue SW, Gerhart KA, Overholser JD, Richardson GN (1992), Quantifying handicap: A new measure of long term rehabilitation outcomes, Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabil. 73: 519-526
American Spinal Injuries Association classification (ASIA)
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