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Published on: February 16, 2011
Patient-Reported Problem Areas in Chronic Traumatic Brain Injury
Ida M H Borgen1, Ingerid Kleffelgård, Solveig L Hauger
1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway (Ms Borgen and Drs Kleffelgård, Forslund, Søberg, Andelic, Sveen, and Røe); Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences (Ms Borgen and Drs Hauger and Løvstad), Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine (Dr Røe), and Center for Habilitation and Rehabilitation Models and Services (CHARM), Institute of Health and Society (Drs Andelic and Røe), University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Department of Research, Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital, Nesoddtangen, Norway (Drs Hauger and Løvstad); Departments of Physiotherapy (Dr Søberg) and Occupational Therapy Prosthetics and Orthotics (Dr Sveen), Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway; and M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania (Dr Winter).
This study highlights that a "Target Outcomes" approach effectively captures individual patient priorities after traumatic brain injury (TBI), complementing standard assessments for better rehabilitation planning.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Psychology
Background:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) significantly impacts individuals in the chronic phase, affecting physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being.
- Understanding patient-prioritized problems is crucial for effective rehabilitation and improving quality of life post-TBI.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess self-reported problem areas in patients with chronic TBI and their family members.
- To compare these self-prioritized problems with standardized assessments using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 120 patients with TBI and 78 participating family members.
- Data collection included semistructured interviews for "Target Outcomes," standardized questionnaires, and neuropsychological screening.
- Linking self-reported outcomes to the ICF classification system.
Main Results:
- Self-reported "Target Outcomes" encompassed cognitive, physical, emotional, and social difficulties.
- The ICF framework linked to "Target Outcomes" covered 12 chapters and 112 categories, while standardized measures covered only 10 chapters and 28 categories.
- Certain aspects of post-TBI adjustment, such as identity and meaningful activities, were not fully captured by the ICF or standardized measures.
Conclusions:
- The "Target Outcomes" approach is valuable for assessing chronic TBI populations, capturing individualized problems.
- Standardized measures provide a broad overview, but "Target Outcomes" ensure patient involvement and personalized rehabilitation.
- Integrating "Target Outcomes" with standardized assessments can enhance the tailoring of rehabilitation efforts for TBI survivors.
