eLearning

www.elearnsci.org: a global educational initiative of ISCoS;

Recognising the need of disseminating information about comprehensive management of Spinal Cord Injury, International Spinal Cord Society (ISCoS) has taken the initiative to develop elearnsci, a web based teaching and educational resource.  Elearnsci.org will specifically address the current lack of professional development opportunities for medical and paramedical professionals involved in Spinal Cord Injury Management due to the limited access of up-to-date SCI training and learning materials/ resources. Asian Spinal Cord Network (ASCoN), Indian Spinal Injuries Centre (ISIC), Livability and University of Sydney are partnering with ISCoS for the development of this resource and Access to Health Care is supporting it.

The resource has been conceptualised in order to provide comprehensive information on SCI management to all medical & paramedical disciplines involved in SCI management. Thus it comprises of 7 core modules each of which has various submodules. The “Overview for the whole team” module would provide basics of SCI Management which all disciplines involved in Spinal Injury Management need to be trained in. Thus it would be preferable for all users to go through this module. Five other modules would cater to various disciplines involved in Spinal Injury Management- Doctors, Nurses, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Assistive Technologists and Psychologists, Social Workers as well as Peer Counselors. In addition there will be a module on Prevention in order to focus attention on this very important aspect. Each submodule covers a specific component in SCI management and has the following components:-

• A presentation giving an overview of that particular component of SCI management
• Activity based learning exercises
• References
• Self Assessment questions

The project was approved in October, 2010 during the ISCoS Annual Scientific Meeting in New Delhi  and work commenced immediately thereafter. 264 experts of ISCoS and various affiliated societies from 23 countries have been  involved in compiling the resource through 28 subcommittees, each working on a particular submodule. The wide spread participation was important to give it a global perspective.  The consensus document of the subcommittee for each submodule has been reviewed by the Education Committee and Scientific Committee of ISCoS. Subsequently an Editorial Committee comprising of 23 ISCoS experts met in New Delhi to review and edit each submodule.

Elearnsci.org was launched during the International Spinal Cord Society's 51st Annual Scientific Meeting in London on 4th September 2012. Anybody can access the resource free of charge.

The various modules and their submodules of elearnsci.org are as under:

Overview for the whole team

• Introduction to SCI
• Team-based care – roles & responsibilities
• Pre-hospital Care
• Clinical assessment of patients with SCI
• Emergency and Acute care management of SCI
• Management of Vertebral Lesion
• Respiratory management
• Nutritional management
• Bladder Management
• Bowel care and management
• Sexuality, fertility & SCI
• Early and late complications in SCI
• Autonomic Dysreflexia
• Nursing management
• Physiotherapy management
• Occupational therapy management
• Assistive Technology perspective and Mobility & seating
• Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Team
• Communication Skills for Healthcare Professionals
• Community inclusion
• Outcome in SCI
• Work, School and other life roles
• Issue specific to women withSCI
• Prevention of SCI
• Cell Transplant Therapy
• Management of spinal cord injury after disasters and emergencies