Experiences of care reported by adults with traumatic brain injury

Abstract

This paper investigates the continuum of care experienced by adults and their significant others following a moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) in Victoria, Australia. Clinical care guidelines exist defining best practice in TBI rehabilitation, but little is currently known about the experiences of those who sustain a TBI, their needs and the barriers they encounter when attempting to access services. This paper presents the journeys of 202 Victorians admitted for acute care following a moderate to severe TBI over 4 years. Results of this study indicate very few participants report receiving services in line with recommendations made in clinical care guidelines. In addition reported access to services was noted to vary according to allocated healthcare funding (i.e., compensable vs. private vs. public). Clinicians' consideration of healthcare consumers' experiences are essential if services provided are to match consumers' needs.

Keywords:

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• best practice
• consumer preferences
• clinical care guidelines
• healthcare funding