Practices in patient education for spinal cord injured persons in 10 hospital rehabilitation centers were examined. Surveys revealed that a majority of the centers conducted patient education (designed to provide facts about the injury as well as psychological support). Findings revealed a large number of staff involved, but a wide difference in the approaches and goals of patient education programs. Only three centers employed professionals with the primary designation of patient educator. There was also a lack of uniformity in materials, methods, and evaluation procedures. Further, the patient was not always encouraged to be an active member of the team, nor was either the rehabilitation counselor or special educator very involved in the rehabilitation center. (CL)