scholarly journals The development of aboriginal brain injury coordinator positions: a culturally secure rehabilitation service initiative as part of a clinical trial

Author(s):  
Elizabeth Armstrong ◽  
Kathy McCoy ◽  
Rebecca Clinch ◽  
Maureen Merritt ◽  
Renee Speedy ◽  
...  

Abstract Brain injury, resulting from stroke and traumatic brain injury, is a common occurrence in Australia, with Aboriginal people affected at a significant rate and impact felt by individuals, families and communities. Access to brain injury rehabilitation services for Aboriginal people is reported to be often limited, with very little support outside the hospital environment. Our research involving Aboriginal brain injury survivors and their families to date has revealed that people often manage ‘on their own’ following such events. Following recommendations from survivors and their families, the Healing Right Way clinical trial, currently underway in Western Australia, has created the role of Aboriginal Brain Injury Coordinator (ABIC) to assist in navigating information and services, particularly after discharge from hospital. Eight positions for this role have been instigated across metropolitan and rural regions in the state. Healing Right Way’s aim is to enhance rehabilitation services and improve quality of life for Aboriginal Australians after brain injury. The ABIC’s role is to provide education, support, liaison and advocacy services to participants and their families over a six-month period, commencing soon after the participant’s stroke or injury has occurred. This paper outlines the development of this role, the partnerships involved, experiences to date and identifies some facilitators and barriers encountered that may impact the role’s ongoing sustainability. Details of components of the planned full Process Evaluation of Healing Right Way related to the ABIC role and the partnerships surrounding it are also provided. In combination with the trial’s ultimate results, this detail will assist in future service planning and provide a model of culturally secure care for stroke and brain injury services that can also inform other sub-acute and primary care models.

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 45-58
Author(s):  
Ee Lin Tay ◽  
Chee Piau Wong

Purpose:  Rehabilitation services in Malaysia are provided by both governmental and non-governmental agencies but there are challenges, such as the lack of integration between agencies, and accessibility barriers to services especially for the population of urban poor and people in the rural areas. With the help of a survey, this project aimed to gain a better understanding of rehabilitation services provided for children with brain injury within the state of Selangor and Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.Method:  A list of 205 organisations that provide rehabilitation services for children with neurological injuries was compiled. The researchers attempted to verify the services by visiting the facilities or via telephone or email communication if visits were not possible.Results: The researchers were able to verify 83% of the organisations identified. There are 40 hospitals and 17 service providers for acute and / or chronic physical rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities of all ages, including children.Conclusion: Findings showed the unequal distribution of rehabilitation service provision by districts. Service providers were concentrated in the urban areas. Setting up new healthcare facilities is one of the solutions but the costs for development, construction, and manpower could be high. An alternative solution is proposed, namely, the use of a home-based virtual rehabilitation programme.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 1035
Author(s):  
Nada Andelic ◽  
Cecilie Røe ◽  
Olli Tenovuo ◽  
Philippe Azouvi ◽  
Helen Dawes ◽  
...  

This study aims to assess rehabilitation needs and provision of rehabilitation services for individuals with moderate-to-severe disability and investigate factors influencing the probability of receiving rehabilitation within six months after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Overall, the analyses included 1206 individuals enrolled in the CENTER-TBI study with severe-to-moderate disability. Impairments in five outcome domains (daily life activities, physical, cognition, speech/language, and psychological) and the use of respective rehabilitation services (occupational therapy, physiotherapy, cognitive and speech therapies, and psychological counselling) were recorded. Sociodemographic and injury-related factors were used to investigate the probability of receiving rehabilitation. Physiotherapy was the most frequently provided rehabilitation service, followed by speech and occupational therapy. Psychological counselling was the least frequently accessed service. The probability of receiving a rehabilitative intervention increased for individuals with greater brain injury severity (odds ratio (OR) 1.75, CI 95%: 1.27–2.42), physical (OR 1.92, CI 95%: 1.21–3.05) and cognitive problems (OR 4.00, CI 95%: 2.34–6.83) but decreased for individuals reporting psychological problems (OR 0.57, CI 95%: 1.21–3.05). The study results emphasize the need for more extensive prescription of rehabilitation services for individuals with disability. Moreover, targeted rehabilitation programs, which aim to improve outcomes, should specifically involve psychological services to meet the needs of individuals recovering from TBI.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 120-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Armstrong ◽  
Juli Coffin ◽  
Meaghan McAllister ◽  
Deborah Hersh ◽  
Judith M. Katzenellenbogen ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTBackground:The overarching cultural context of the brain injury survivor, particularly that related to minority peoples with a history of colonisation and discrimination, has rarely been referred to in the research literature, despite profoundly influencing a person’s recovery journey in significant ways, including access to services. This study highlights issues faced by Australian Aboriginal traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivors in terms of real-life consequences of the high incidence of TBI in this population, current treatment and long-term challenges.Method:A case study approach utilised qualitative interview and file review data related to five male Aboriginal TBI survivors diagnosed with acquired communication disorders. The five TBI survivors were from diverse areas of rural and remote Western Australia, aged between 19 and 48 years at the time of injury, with a range of severity.Case Reports:Common themes included: significant long-term life changes; short-term and long-term dislocation from family and country as medical intervention and rehabilitation were undertaken away from the person’s rural/remote home; family adjustments to the TBI including permanent re-location to a metropolitan area to be with their family member in residential care; challenges related to lack of formal rehabilitation services in rural areas; poor communication channels; poor cultural security of services; and lack of consistent follow-up.Discussion and Conclusion:These case reports represent some of the first documented stories of Aboriginal Australian TBI survivors. They supplement available epidemiological data and highlight different contexts for Aboriginal people after TBI, contributing to an overall profile that is relevant for rehabilitation service planning.


Crisis ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 303-310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bas Verwey ◽  
Jeroen A. van Waarde ◽  
Molla A. Bozdağ ◽  
Iris van Rooij ◽  
Edwin de Beurs ◽  
...  

Background: Assessment of suicide attempters in a general hospital may be influenced by the condition of the patient and the unfavorable circumstances of the hospital environment. Aims: To determine whether the results of a reassessment at home shortly after discharge from hospital differ from the initial assessment in the hospital. Methods: In this prospective study, systematic assessment of 52 suicide attempters in a general hospital was compared with reassessment at home, shortly after discharge. Results: Reassessments at home concerning suicide intent, motives for suicide attempt, and dimensions of psychopathology did not differ significantly from the initial hospital assessment. However, patients’ motives for the suicide attempt had changed to being less impulsive and more suicidal, worrying was significantly higher, and self-esteem was significantly lower. A third of the patients had forgotten their aftercare arrangements and most patients who initially felt no need for additional help had changed their mind at reassessment. Conclusions: Results from this group of suicide attempters suggest that a brief reassessment at home shortly after discharge from hospital should be considered.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 758-758
Author(s):  
Marie Boltz ◽  
Ashley Kuzmik

Abstract Persons with dementia (PWD) have high rates of hospitalization, and along with their family caregivers (FCGs), commonly experience negative hospital experiences and outcomes. The recruitment and retention challenges encountered in an ongoing cluster randomized clinical trial in PWDs and FCGs are described. The trial tests the efficacy of a nurse-FCG partnership model that aims to improve: 1) the physical and cognitive recovery in hospitalized PWD, and 2) FCG preparedness and anxiety. Recruitment and retention challenges, identified in team meetings and extracted from team documentation,.include factors in the hospital environment, the PWD, and FCGs. Strategies that address these challenges include careful pre-planning and preparation with the site, strong communication with dyads, and honoring preferences for communication. The recruitment and retention of acutely ill older adults with dementia and FCGs can pose a challenge to investigators and threaten the validity of findings. Recruitment and retention strategies that help improve validity are described


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