Psychosocial assessment after traumatic brain injury

Psychosocial outcome has been difficult to define, but nevertheless widely reported. More recent studies have demonstrated not only that the long term emotional costs of head injury are enormous for survivor and family members, but the functional consequences in terms of changes in family life, recreational and vocational activities, are great and prolonged. These consequences have more recently become the focus of rehabilitation, with studies demonstrating dramatic improvements in many aspects of productive living, and consequent lifetime cost savings of an enormous amount. The psychosocial deficits matter, they can be the focus of treatment, and the treatment can be successful and cost effective.