[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The successful cooperation between NORWAC and Sunnaas Hospital from Norway and Imam Sadr Foundation and Mousawat in Lebanon has benefited patients with spinal cord injuries. During the last week of September, the multidisciplinary team from Sunnaas Hospital were at the clinic in Derdghaiya, Lebanon[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=».vc_custom_1492008828909{margin-top: 40px !important;}»][vc_column][vc_column_text]The team from Sunnaas consists of Gunnbjørg Aune, occupational therapist, Nina Enersen, physiotherapist, Ingebjørg Irgens, medical doctor and Mette Mørken, peer educator. Since 2014 the focus has been on interdisciplinary rehabilitation for people with spinal cord injuries and it has been working. This time the team at Derdghaiya presented what they have achieved over the past year. They have a great understanding of the interdisciplinary mindset of rehabilitation and work well together as a team. There was also time for a session theme was daily activities and independent everyday life and people with spinal cord injury shared their experiences. It was particularly fun attending the women’s group when they shared their experiences and formed new networks.

 

Urotherapist Gro Stensrød from NORWAC has been in charge of the advanced training for the nurses at Derdghaiya, and nurse Rida Jezzina presented her paper on pressure ulcers for patients with spinal cord injuries. It is an impressive effort considering that he did not speak English when he started at the clinic and now, he delivered a comprehensive assignment in English. He got his certificate and was duly celebrated.

 

There is still a lot to learn about rehabilitation of people with spinal cord injuries at the clinic in Derdghaiya, but we are proud to have contributed to the interdisciplinary mindset now appearing to have taken root in this team. They experience that the different professional groups have different and valuable contributions. The fact that several nurses are specialized in mental health is a strength for the team. They have received feedback from the patients that:

«Before I only had one physiotherapist, but now I have five specialists who see the whole of me».

 

Pictures from the visit. Sunnaas team together with local staff, the women’s group and celebrating Rida Jezzina.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=»1/3″][vc_single_image image=»2347″ img_size=»medium» add_caption=»yes»][/vc_column][vc_column width=»1/3″][vc_single_image image=»2343″ img_size=»medium»][/vc_column][vc_column width=»1/3″][vc_single_image image=»2348″][/vc_column][/vc_row]