title: Codman Award paper. Family concerns and responses following a severe traumatic brain injury: a grounded theory study.
abstract: The focus of this paper is to present an inductively derived substantive theory, "Negotiating Uncertainty". The theory details the most salient concerns of families who had a close relative who had suffered a severe TBI and how they dealt with the experience during the uncertain trajectory of illness that followed coma. This study was conducted in two acute care neurosurgical units in Level 1 trauma facilities in Toronto, Canada, using the grounded theory research method. There were a total of 36 participants in the study: 11 individuals who were injured and 25 close family members. Supporting data is provided to permit the reader to hear the issues of family members first-hand and to evaluate the recommendations for practice, education, and research.
authors.affiliation: Centennial College, York University, Toronto, Ontario. dianeduf@rogers.com
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Duff
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003128:Coma / Q000523:psychology; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D009742:Nursing Theory; D009864:Ontario; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D012944:Social Support