scholarly journals Support Network Responses to Acquired Brain Injury

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steffany Chleboun ◽  
Karen Hux
Keyword(s):  
Brain Injury ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Acquired Brain Injury ◽  
Recovery Process ◽  
Support Networks ◽  
Support Network ◽  
Field Notes

Acquired brain injury (ABI) affects social relationships; however, the ways social and support networks change and evolve as a result of brain injury is not well understood. This study explored ways in which survivors of ABI and members of their support networks perceive relationship changes as recovery extends into the long-term stage. Two survivors of ABI and members of their respective support networks participated in this case study integrating information from interviews, field notes, and artifacts. Inductive data analysis revealed themes of adjustment to impairments and compensations, connection changes with other people, feelings of protectiveness toward the survivor, emotional intensity, and the influence of personality traits on the recovery process. Application of these themes to intervention suggests health care professionals might benefit from shifting their focus from the survivor alone to the survivor functioning within a social support network.

scholarly journals Boundary Spanning Roles and Power in Educational Partnerships

AERA Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 233285842110168
Author(s):  
Christopher M. Wegemer ◽  
Jennifer R. Renick
Keyword(s):  
Educational Outcomes ◽  
Boundary Spanning ◽  
Comparative Case Study ◽  
Task Orientation ◽  
Boundary Spanners ◽  
Educational Partnerships ◽  
Field Notes ◽  
Reflexive Analysis

Research-practice partnerships (RPPs) offer promising approaches to improve educational outcomes. Navigating boundaries between contexts is essential for RPP effectiveness, yet much work remains to establish a conceptual framework of boundary spanning in partnerships. Our longitudinal comparative case study draws from our experiences as graduate student boundary spanners in three long-term partnerships to examine boundary spanning roles in RPPs, with particular attention to the ways in which power permeates partnership work. Using qualitative, critically reflexive analysis of meeting artifacts and field notes, we found that our boundary spanning roles varied along five spectrums: institutional focus, task orientation, expertise, partnership disposition, and agency. Our roles were shaped by the organizational, cultural, relational, and historical features of the partnerships and contexts of interaction. We aim to promote the development of effective RPP strategies by leveraging the perspectives and positionality of graduate students in order to advance understanding of boundary spanning roles.

Right people, right time? a qualitative study of service access experiences of adults with acquired brain injury following discharge from inpatient rehabilitation

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Michele Foster ◽  
Melissa Legg ◽  
Eloise Hummell ◽  
Letitia Burridge ◽  
Kirsty Laurie
Keyword(s):  
Brain Injury ◽  
Acquired Brain Injury ◽  
Inpatient Rehabilitation ◽  
Service Access ◽  
Personal Recovery ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Perceived Needs ◽  
Specialist Services ◽  
Positive Experiences

Abstract Purpose: The intention of this paper is to develop the personal concept of appropriate access. We report on the service access experiences and opportunities of adults with an acquired brain injury after leaving inpatient rehabilitation. The benefits of appropriate access underpin standards in early and long-term recovery, though users’ access needs are highly personal. Methods: The study used a qualitative design involving 16 semi-structured interviews with Australian adults with an acquired brain injury after discharge from inpatient brain rehabilitation. Data were thematically analysed. Results: Three main themes were derived from the analysis. Theme 1 shows that participants valued being steered to services that providers thought appropriate for them early after discharge from inpatient rehabilitation. Theme 2 highlights the tensions between timing and personal recovery and perceived needs. Theme 3 captures participants’ insights into the challenges of gaining access vis-a-vis what the system offers and the enablers of actualising appropriate access. Conclusion: The positive experiences of being directed to specialist services early after discharge suggest that continuity of care constitutes appropriateness of access for participants in this study. However, it is also clear that continuity should not displace flexibility in the timing of services, to accord with individuals’ perceived needs. This, in addition to enablement of access opportunities, through funding and transport, are important in maintaining a personalised approach.

scholarly journals Quality of life in patients with mild acute brain injury and their carers’ needs in Greece

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 39
Author(s):  
Evgenia Stasinopoulou ◽  
Margarita Giannakopoulou ◽  
Georgios Fildisis ◽  
Maria Kalafati ◽  
Chryssoula Leomonidou
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Acute Brain Injury ◽  
Support Network ◽  
Family Needs ◽  
Rehabilitation Centers

Background: Investigating quality of life (QoL) is of crucial importance for the scientific community as it could function not only as an indicator of prognosis and post-traumatic clinical and psychological changes in patients who have suffered from acute brain injury (ABI), but also as an indicator of the effectiveness of their treatment and social rehabilitation. In addition, it can highlight changes in the carer’s health, social life and well-being. This study examined the QoL of patients following ABI and the needs of their carers.Material and methodology: This study was conducted in patients suffering from ABI, who were admitted to the General Hospital of Attica “KAT” and to the National Rehabilitation Center and on their carers. Data collection including demographics and Quality of Life After Brain Injury Questionnaire (QOLIBRI) and the Family Needs Questionnaire (FNQ) was performed during patients’ rehabilitation, while six months after release, a follow-up survey was conducted using the same questionnaires. Statistical analysis of data was performed using SPSS.Results: We analysed 50 patients with mild ABI (GCS ≥ of 13/15) during rehabilitation and six months after release and found that their QoL improves and is positively related to improvement of health status (i.e. in terms of thinking ability, QoL improves from r = 2.33, p < .01 to r = 3.37, p < .001). We also found that “Age” has the greatest impact on the patient’s progress for recovery and the general QoL after ABI (r = -0.423, p < .01). In addition, it was found that carers of patients with ABI are confronted with the burden of care, while they record both fulfilled and unmet needs regarding their individual needs (i.e. only for 30% of the sample the need for help in preparing them for the worst is met).Conclusions: Our study confirms previous findings that underline that ABI has a major impact on QoL of both patients and their carers providing them with long-term daily care. Although it has been found that over time there is an improvement in the QoL of patients with ABI, the absence of an official support network for carers from public health system, hospitals and rehabilitation centers may adversely affect the QoL of patients and their carers. Therefore, more structured, long-term family-wide monitoring and support is needed, focusing on identifying those at risk of social isolation and incomplete social networking.

Serving Students With Acquired Brain Injury: Understanding Long-Term Need and Outcomes After the BrainSTEPS Program

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Jessica Salley Riccardi ◽  
Libby Crook ◽  
Brenda Eagan-Johnson ◽  
Monica Vaccaro ◽  
Angela H. Ciccia
Keyword(s):  
Brain Injury ◽  
Regular Education ◽  
Acquired Brain Injury ◽  
Transition Services ◽  
Student Outcome ◽  
Severe Injuries ◽  
School Based ◽  
Wide Range

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to inform school-based services for children with acquired brain injury (ABI) by describing and analyzing functional student-outcome data from a state-wide, school-based, school re-entry consultation program, BrainSTEPS (Strategies Teaching Educators, Parents, and Students), in Pennsylvania. Method: A nonexperimental, retrospective analysis was conducted with data collected during a pilot follow-up survey for BrainSTEPS. Caregivers reported on 337 students with ABI participating in BrainSTEPS. Results: Most students post-ABI who were participating in BrainSTEPS were enrolled in regular education and reported no ongoing symptoms, as well as no parent perception of need for additional BrainSTEPS consultation during the time period of the follow-up survey. Current receipt of therapy was significantly associated with injury type, χ 2 (1, n = 329) = 16.72, p < .001. A multiple logistic regression was significant ( p < .001) in predicting the need for additional BrainSTEPS consultation. More severe injuries, educational placement postinjury of regular education with a 504 plan (compared to regular education), and current receipt of therapy significantly increased the odds of need for consultation. Conclusions: Due to the wide range of experiences of students in this sample, hospital-to-school transition services, educational supports and services, and long-term follow-up must be individualized for children with ABI. Speech-language pathologists are critical members of the school-based academic team for students with ABI to decrease long-term unmet needs.

Returning to work after acquired brain injury: A mixed method case study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Valerie Burke ◽  
Laura O’Rourke ◽  
Emer Duffy
Keyword(s):  
Brain Injury ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Acquired Brain Injury ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Work Skills ◽  
Mixed Methods Case Study ◽  
Signed Rank ◽  
Returning To Work

BACKGROUND: Vocation is a meaningful area of rehabilitation after Acquired Brain Injury (ABI). There is a discrepancy between the number of individuals with an ABI who feel able to work and those who are employed in Ireland. Research suggests that Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) programs enhance Return to Work (RTW) outcomes after ABI, however existing literature is limited. OBJECTIVE: This study explores the experience of engaging in VR post ABI, and its impact upon work self-efficacy. METHODS: A mixed methods case study design was selected to represent the individuality of ABI presentations. Participants completed a qualitative interview at VR follow up (N = 2) and the Work Self-Efficacy Inventory at pre/post VR. RESULTS: Four overarching themes emerged including Stigma, Adjustment, Support and Readiness. RTW challenges included fatigue, accepting support, adjusting to work and stigma. RTW benefits included routine, pride in work, skills development, and empowerment. Wilcoxon signed rank indicated that work self-efficacy scores mildly improved post VR. CONCLUSIONS: This research may inform VR Programs and offers pragmatic clinical implications based on the data. Future research should consider the role that readiness plays in facilitating RTW. Limitations include sample size, a lack of longitudinal data and control group.

The Things that Help, the Things that Get in the Way: Working Together to Improve Outcome Following Acquired Brain Injury

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 258-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacinta M. Douglas
Keyword(s):  
Brain Injury ◽  
Acquired Brain Injury ◽  
Life Changes ◽  
Major Life ◽  
The Family ◽  
Working Together ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Way

Working in neurological rehabilitation brings with it numerous opportunities to gain an understanding of the factors that contribute to shaping meaningful living and wellbeing for those tackling the major life changes encountered following acquired brain injury (ABI). These opportunities come in many forms: challenging and brave clients, wise and worrying families, questioning and inspiring colleagues, empowering and limiting work environments and rigid and advancing policy and legislative contexts.Our personal and collective understanding ofthe things that helpandthe things that get in the wayof effective rehabilitation continuously emerges from the convergence of the experience and knowledge afforded by these opportunities. The aim of this paper is to considerthe things that helpandthe things that get in the wayas they have been identified by people with ABI, their families and those who work with them and have been further evidenced through research targeted towards improving short, medium and long-term outcomes for those living with the consequences of ABI. Thesethingsas discussed in this paper capture the essential role of the self, the importance of rights and access to rehabilitation, the impact of the family and the contribution of social connection.

scholarly journals Towards a state of play: A case study exploring insight-oriented musical experiences with a woman with severe brain injury

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-50
Author(s):  
Maybelle Swaney
Keyword(s):  
Brain Injury ◽  
Emotional Health ◽  
Haemorrhagic Stroke ◽  
Musical Experience ◽  
Severe Brain Injury ◽  
Self Identity ◽  
Therapeutic Outcomes ◽  
Reflective Processing

This article presents an improvisational approach to insight-oriented therapy in music therapy with a woman with severe cognitive impairments following haemorrhagic stroke. Analysis of five clinical excerpts across 40 sessions demonstrates how a prepared improvised musical experience can facilitate meaningful self-exploration in dialogue, leading to a renewed self-identity in life after brain injury. The therapist’s reflective processing is integral to the therapeutic outcomes; these are examined alongside the casework material. This article suggests that insight-oriented musical experiences may be one way of supporting the emotional health of individuals living with the enduring consequences of severe brain injury in slow-stream rehabilitation or long-term neurological care.

scholarly journals Medical Cannabis Reduced Agitation in Acquired Brain Injury: A Case Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 61 (6) ◽  
pp. 819-824
Author(s):  
Danielle C. Hergert ◽  
Andrew R. Mayer ◽  
Kent Hutchinson ◽  
Joseph R. Sadek ◽  
Davin K. Quinn
Keyword(s):  
Brain Injury ◽  
Acquired Brain Injury ◽  
Medical Cannabis
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