Assessing Outcomes of Caregiver Education During Inpatient Rehabilitation for Brain Injury

Caregiver education is a vital component of inpatient rehabilitation for brain injury, yet the most effective ways of delivering education are not well established. A secondary analysis of 139 adult patients was conducted to determine if duration and types of education were correlated with functional outcomes and postdischarge health services. Most caregivers (94.2%) received training during the admission. Education involving hands-on training with patient care was associated with reduced levels of postdischarge health services (discharge to subacute nursing facility, or home with health care organization), (odds ratio [OR]: 0.20, [95% CI: 0.07 to 0.55], p = .002). In addition, patients with caregivers who were approved to provide hands-on assistance outside of therapy had a reduced need for postdischarge services (OR: 0.46, [0.21 to 0.97], p = .04), and higher functional independence levels at discharge (OR: 2.19, [1.14 to 4.19], p = .019). Strategies that actively engage caregivers should be prioritized.