Beyond Care Provision: Australian Health Professionals’ Perspectives on Partnering With People Ageing With Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract

Background

The number of people ageing with spinal cord injury (SCI) is increasing due to improved life expectancy and population ageing. Ageing with SCI is complex, shaped by interactions among SCI-related, age-related, personal and environmental factors, resulting in highly individualised support needs. This study explored how health professionals (HPs) understand and respond to the complexities of supporting people ageing with SCI.

Methods

This qualitative study conducted semistructured interviews via Zoom with HPs (n = 21) supporting people ageing with SCI in community settings. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis informed by a phenomenological approach. A Consumer Advisory Panel contributed to study design, recruitment and interpretation and validation of findings.

Results

Four interconnected themes were identified: (1) understanding the multidimensional nature of ageing with SCI, (2) facilitating adjustment to ageing with SCI, (3) strategies and practices to support ageing with SCI and (4) the personal journey of HPs. HPs described ageing with SCI as a complex, individualised process that requires specialised support, including SCI-specific expertise, relationship-based practice, advocacy, shared decision-making and recognition of lived experience. Facilitating adjustment to age-related change, promoting autonomy and supporting participation in meaningful activities and roles were central to care. However, fragmented systems, funding limitations and workforce challenges constrained preventative and person-centred care, contributing to moral tension, emotional burden and burnout, with implications for workforce sustainability.

Conclusions

HPs supporting people to age well with SCI require specialised clinical, advocacy and relationship-based skills, delivered through collaborative partnerships with people with lived experience. In practice, the implementation of these approaches is often constrained by poorly aligned health, disability and aged care systems, placing substantial emotional demands on HPs. System-level reform is needed to support continuity of care, preventative approaches, relationship-based care and sustainability of workforce expertise.