A profile of outcome: 2 years after traumatic brain injury.
A group of 175 traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients who had undergone intensive rehabilitation at Bethesda Hospital attended a follow-up interview 2 years after injury. The majority of patients had suffered severe TBI. Outcome was documented in ten areas: medical/physical, mobility, activities of daily living (ADLs) accommodation, marital status, leisure and recreation, employment/study, communication, cognition and behaviour. Whilst most patients were physically independent and competent in personal and domestic activities of daily living, a third of the group were still reliant on assistance with community skills and transport, and more than half of those who previously had a job, were not working at 2 years post-injury. Around two-thirds of the sample reported cognitive, behavioural and emotional changes. There is clearly a need for ongoing community-based support and assistance in dealing with practical difficulties and psychological problems as they are experienced after return to the community.
Ponsford
J L
JL
Bethesda Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
Olver
J H
JH
Curran
C
C
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000145:classification*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016489:Head Injuries, Closed / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000534:rehabilitation; D019965:Neurocognitive Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010348:Patient Care Team; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational; D012917:Social Adjustment; D016896:Treatment Outcome