Predicting resource use for patients with traumatic brain injury

Approximately 2 million traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) occur each year in the United States. Outcomes of TBI include catastrophic disability that affects mobility, self-sufficiency, cognition, language and communication, sensory and perceptual function, neurobehavior, marital relationships, and vocational status. Few programs exist that address all of these needs comprehensively, and resource allocation for care across the continuum for patients after TBI remains limited. In this article, the author describes outcomes of TBI, barriers to outcome achievement, and alternative care delivery approaches to achieve these outcomes.