The Vison of ISCoS is to "facilitate healthy and inclusive lives for people with spinal cord injury or dysfunction globally". Partnership and collaboration is key in helping us to realise this vision. We are delighted that we have been able to partner with Wellspect to deliver, in addition to a number of webinars and podcasts, educational support for the ISCoS International Regional Symposia.

In this webinar, the 2nd ISCoS International Regional Symposium - Sharing world knowledge for practical advancements will be discussed by the panel: Dr. Ronald Reeves, MD, Chair of the ISCoS Education Committee, Dr. Francois Theron, MBChB, MMed, Chair of the ISCoS Affiliated Societies and Networks Committee Professor Moon Suk Bang, MD, Phd, Seoul National University College of Medicine and Chair of the Local Organising Committee. The panel highlight the work of the Korean Spinal Cord Society and spinal cord injury care in Korea and discuss the work of the ISCoS Regional Symposia Initiative to promote multi disciplinary, integrated care and training, the comprehensive care for which ISCoS is well known, within affiliated societies and regional networks.

Pelvic floor disorders affect a significant portion of women globally but have historically been overshadowed by silence.

This webinar, in partnership with Wellspect aims to raise awareness of these issues. This episode will cover, bladder and bowel management during the different stages of a woman's life, overcoming barriers to break the taboo in discussing such issues, the challenges and risks of becoming a mother with a spinal cord injury and the importance of a good bladder and bowel routine will have on your self-confidence all leading to empowerment and a better quality of life.

To do this, host Ami Kivi, Global Product Manager Urology, Wellspect invites Dr Maria Gyhagen, Associate Professor in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Sahlgrenska University at Gothenburg University and Inge Eriks-Hoogland, head of the outpatient department of the Swiss Paraplegic Centre, to shed light on this pressing women's health issue. Their groundbreaking research and advocacy work reveal the widespread impact of these disorders and pioneer new paths in care and empowerment for affected individuals.

The prevalence of pelvic floor disorders, such as incontinence and genital prolapse, severely impacts quality of life. Dr Gyhagen's research focuses on the functional dynamics of the pelvic floor, especially post-childbirth, emphasising its multifaceted effects, including compromised self-esteem and sexual dysfunction. She stresses the importance of early diagnosis and targeted support, which are often overlooked in healthcare. 

Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injury Calculator 
UR-CHOICE Pelvic Floor Disorders Risk Calculator: 

Dr Eriks-Hoogland's expertise in spinal cord injuries highlights the unique challenges faced by spinal cord-injured women during pregnancy and childbirth. The podcast highlights heightened risks and the necessity for informed choices and collaborative clinical approaches, ensuring active participation in health decisions. Standardised guidelines in gynaecological care play a vital role in empowering patients and improving care protocols, advocating for a more predictive healthcare approach and addressing societal taboos surrounding pelvic floor disorders through greater awareness and dialogue. 
SCI Care Guidelines 
 

In this episode, “What’s to consider regarding sexual dysfunction in SCI people?” we will highlight the importance of considering another component of the sacral area, that is, the sexual aspect and activities for a person with Spinal Cord Injury. There are several things to consider regarding sexual dysfunction as a consequence of spinal cord injury. By getting the right help and knowledge, many can regain this as a natural part of their life post-injury. An important first step is to get guidance on how to talk about sexual dysfunction and spinal cord injury. Bladder and bowel management are areas of taboo and not so easy to talk about in relation to sexuality/ intimacy, yet of main importance for a patient to feel self-confident. To delve into this area further, our guest host, Francescapaola Polli, Enterology Product Manager for Wellspect in Italy, begins this discussion by introducing two experts in Sexual Dysfunction who've teamed up to assist individuals and their partners in navigating the effects of spinal cord injury. Our first guest is Dr Marcalee Alexander, a specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Dr Alexander has produced extensive research work on the treatment of sexual dysfunction after spinal cord injury. And she is joined by Dr Gianluca Sampogna, a Urological Surgeon who helps people with spinal cord injury to rebuild and achieve an active and satisfactory sexual life through sexual counselling, sex toys, and prescriptions of medical therapies and surgery. In this webinar, they discuss how spinal cord injury can alter sexual activity and interest, by disrupting pathways between the brain and genital arousal. The experts challenge misconceptions about sensory loss and emphasise that individuals with spinal cord injuries can experience pleasure with the right knowledge. The discussion covers the impact of lengthy stays in hospital, the mechanics of orgasms for spinal cord injury patients, and the importance of bladder and bowel management for sexual activity, as well as specific developments for both male and female patients. Both doctors stress the need for open-minded physicians, barrier-free access to care, and empowerment for individuals with spinal cord injuries to enhance their sexual lives through informed guidance.
We invite you to send in your questions, as our trio of experts will be meeting for further discussion in January.

Please email your questions to admin@iscos.org.uk before the 10th of January with the subject line: My Question for the podcast covering SCI and Sexual Dysfunction.

“Part of my role for an outpatient is making sure that when we're following them up, we're asking the right questions. There are so many different things, but making sure that we are consistent on what we're asking and having the knowledge and keeping ourselves up to date so that we know what's available to help our patients.” – Rachel Skews Alan Cook is the Marketing Manager for Wellspect UK and is today’s host. Alan has worked in the continence industry for thirteen years, primarily focusing on intermittent catheterisation and transanal irrigation. Alan is uniquely positioned to share his professional knowledge and personal experience in bladder management with ISC, having sustained a T8 spinal cord injury in 2005. To help him discuss this topic in-depth, Alan is joined by three experts, Rachel Skews, a urology nurse practitioner from North Bristol NHS Trust, and colleagues Sister Kimberley Porter and Jeanette Jones from the Midland Centre for Spinal Injuries. The webinar covers three main learning objectives: key factors to consider when starting intermittent catheterisation, addressing potential barriers to success and maximising compliance after discharge. The panel explore this topic by asking questions such as, is there a right time to approach a patient to start ISC? How do patient pathways impact this? How can compliance be ensured post-discharge? What factors should be considered, and what is the importance of peer support? “Just to see there is some light at the end of the tunnel to show them the way and that they've coped and they've moved on. I think peer support is invaluable.” – Sister Kimberley Porter.

In summary, there are many factors to consider when providing a successful bladder management programme. Information, education, and peer support are all key to making this success happen.

Welcome to the fifth collaborative episode in our webinar series, SCI Care: What really matters between the International Spinal Cord Society (ISCoS) and Wellspect®, In this webinar, transanal irrigation will be discussed by a panel consisting of Camille Lichtenstein as the webinar host and Helena Gomes Delgado, a ward manager at Daniel's Rehabilitation Unit and Jane Stanbridge Neurogenic Specialist Nurse and Director JPEL Training Ltd. "It is about having that regular routine to prevent constipation and the risk of accidents. That's the main thing. It is the right time commitment and follow-up."- Jane Stanbridge In this episode, the panel will explore what is required to initiate TAI in spinal cord injured, the factors to consider when introducing TAI and the tips on transferring to home care and keeping adherence. The panel delve further, covering what it takes to run an effective and successful bowel care program, the therapeutical education, and the main barriers that can occur to the key factors for therapy adherence once the patient is at home. "You make sure that it is working and that is better for the patient, and the patient is happy with it. So it's a decision from the patient, mostly because informatively and as they experience it, it's their decision." Helena Gomes Delgado All panellists agree that there are many factors to consider in a successful bowel care programme, and the most significant factor is education. To provide the patient, health professionals and caregivers with information to support from the SCI Unit to returning home.

Welcome to the fourth collaborative episode of our webinar series, SCI Care: What really matters between the International Spinal Cord Society (ISCoS) and Wellspect®, ‘Surviving to Thriving: The Importance of Lived Experience in Bladder Management.’ In this webinar, Dr Kim Anderson chairs the panel as they share their lived experience, expertise, geographical differences and thoughts for the future. Dr Kim Anderson shares her experiences and what it has been like in the U.S.A. Shivjeet Raghav shares what it has been like living with e SCI for over 40 years and his knowledge from an Indian perceptive. Ari Seirlis gives his account of how change was achieved in South Africa and Raffaella Tarascio shares the peer to peer support available in Italy. In this wonderful webinar as we meet each panellist where they are today? Each panellist reflects on where are we? How far have we come? A sharing of their lived experience and what is thriving in their country? What is the gold standard and how are they getting there? Many factors impact a person’s choice and level of quality of life. It is finding the right solution for the individual to live their life as they wish to avoid complications and infections as much as possible. Through information, education and peer support – freedom, independence, and a higher quality of life can be realised. All panellists agree that the level of information and support from professionals and peers is vitally important to a patient’s journey and can be the difference between surviving and thriving.

The Vison of ISCoS is to "facilitate healthy and inclusive lives for people with spinal cord injury or dysfunction globally". Partnership and collaboration is key in helping us to realise this vision. We are delighted that we have been able to partner with Wellspect to deliver a number of webinars and podcasts, including our very first webinar that will focus on the Importance of patient-centred care in neurogenic bladder and bowel management. Mr Grant Friedrich, Clinical Relations Manager for Wellspect Healthcare, is joined by Dr Gianna Rodriguez, Clinical Associate Professor, University of Michigan Dept of Phys Med and Rehab and Dr Ram Hariharan a Consultant at the Princess Royal Spinal Cord Injuries Centre, Sheffield, the UK as they discuss the Importance of patient-centred care in neurogenic bladder and bowel management specifically focusing on the diverse challenges patients experience which makes evaluation with standardised outcome measures difficult.