A Web-Based Service Delivery Model for Communication Training After Brain Injury: Protocol for a Mixed Methods,...

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Rehabilitation Science
• Implementation Science

Background:

• Acquired brain injuries (ABIs) affect over 135 million people globally, causing cognitive-communication disorders and psychosocial challenges.
• The growing burden of ABI strains rehabilitation services, necessitating scalable solutions like web-based interventions.
• The Social Brain Toolkit offers a suite of evidence-based, web-based communication training for individuals with ABI and their partners.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the implementation and effectiveness of the Social Brain Toolkit as a web-based service delivery model.
• To document and evaluate implementation strategies using the NASSS framework.
• To assess the feasibility, scalability, sustainability, and acceptability of the intervention.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods, prospective, hybrid type 2 implementation-effectiveness study.
• Utilizing the Nonadoption, Abandonment, Scale-up, Spread, and Sustainability (NASSS) framework.
• Collecting quantitative data (web analytics, surveys, knowledge tests) and qualitative data (interviews, formative evaluation).

Main Results:

• Data collection occurred from July 2021 to June 2022, with analysis ongoing.
• Results are anticipated for publication in late 2022 and early 2023.
• The study will report on implementation outcomes and intervention effectiveness.

Conclusions:

• End-user feedback is crucial for refining web-based interventions like the Social Brain Toolkit.
• Learnings will inform the development and implementation of future digital psychosocial interventions for ABI and other populations.
• The study aims to ensure interventions are feasible, scalable, sustainable, and acceptable to end-users.