What I learned from my spinal cord injury – notes from a surgeon

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In this inspirational episode, we have the privilege of hearing the unique patient perspective of a surgeon who operated on SCI patients prior to his own spinal injury. Mr Mohammed Belal is a consultant urologist who has treated many SCI patients during his medical career. In 2021 he had a cycling accident and sustained a spinal cord injury which saw him undergo many months of rehabilitation and treatment. He has recently returned to work as a surgeon. Here, he speaks with Dr Jane Duff, a consultant clinical psychologist at the National Spinal Injuries Centre, Stoke Mandeville Hospital, and ISCoS President-Elect, Dr Ali Jamous about his journey.
A positive mental outlook has been fundamental to Mr Belal’s ongoing recovery and rehabilitation, which he categorises into three key strands: the physical, mental and spiritual. Goal setting and managing expectations have also been important, recognising that rehabilitation is an ongoing process and that new challenges will arise along the way. His experience as a surgeon has clearly helped with this in terms of his in-depth knowledge of SCI care, but also in his disciplined and driven approach to recovery. He explains that one can maintain a positive mindset by seeing challenges as problems to be solved rather than insurmountable obstacles.
“That's the beauty of about life. It's the challenges that really keep you going.”
Mr Belal also shares his honest views on the challenges of accessing community care and rehabilitation services after discharge, and the frustrations around this. He explains how clinicians can help by giving patients a sense of purpose with clear goals for rehabilitation. His own approach as a surgeon has certainly changed when it comes to understanding the profound changes and uncertainty his patients are dealing with.
“It's certainly made me a better doctor”.
This episode is a must for both SCI clinicians and patients as Mr Belal shares his vital insights and take-away messages from both sides of the experience. In particular, he highlights the importance of communication and empathy; managing acceptance and uncertainty with a positive outlook; and, crucially, holding on to gratitude and hope.

The opinions of our host and guests are their own; ISCoS does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies.

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The SCI Care: What Really Matters podcast aims to provide valuable insights and the most up-to-date information for those providing care to people with spinal cord injury (SCI) worldwide. The vision of the International Spinal Cord Society (ISCoS) is to "facilitate healthy and inclusive lives for people with spinal cord injury or dysfunction globally".

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