Leaving on a Jet Plane: reflections on working with a patient with complex acquired brain injury secondary to attempted suicide

ABSTRACT

Objective

Despite indications that patients with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) as a result of deliberate self-harm have more complex presentations and lower rehabilitation outcomes (Brenner, 2009)¹, there is nominal published literature that considers adjustments to care for these individuals. A multifaceted and emotionally triggering subject, laced with clinical and ethical considerations, the lack of published articles may indicate the complexities surrounding this topic.

Method

This case study reflects on the care of a young man on a specialist brain injury unit who had devastating physical and cognitive disabilities after a significant drug overdose. Because the patient was unable to make informed treatment choices, all medical care was delivered in the patient’s best interest amidst questions and doubts about the value of continuing life-saving treatments and escalation plans.

Results

This article is not to defend or challenge the decisions made during this patient’s care, but reflects on the complexity and impact of these situations on the patient, the family, and the care team. The patient’s father gave permission for this case review publication.

Conclusion

Further investigation is needed to better understand the challenges faced by this population and to determine if bespoke pathways and therapy considerations are necessary to address these specific circumstances.

KEYWORDS:

• Acquired brain injury
• attempted suicide
• deliberate self-harm
• rehabilitation
• case study
• reflection

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Ethics Statement

This reflective case study was reviewed and discussed with the therapist’s supervisor and consultant medical director. The patient’s father read and provided verbal consent for the publication of the article.

Data availability statement

This reflective case study does not incorporate data other than that which has been externally sourced.