Severity of injury and service utilization following traumatic brain injury: the first 3 months.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the medical and rehabilitation service use of model systems by brain injured participants 1 to 3 months postdischarge from inpatient rehabilitation.


METHODS
Prospective follow-up study.


METHODS
Georgia Model Brain Injury System (GAMBIS).


METHODS
Seventy-three GAMBIS subjects consenting to participate in the utilization substudy.


METHODS
Receipt of services and intensity of service use.


METHODS
Chi-square analysis of receipt of services by severity of injury.


RESULTS
The likelihood of service use did not vary with severity of injury. Data suggest that intensity of service use was a function of injury severity.


CONCLUSIONS
Subjects with mild and moderate injuries were as likely to use a range of medical and rehabilitation services during the 3-month postdischarge period as those with severe injuries. Traditional rehabilitation services, such as physical therapy, were far more likely to be used, than nontraditional services, such as psychological counseling, in spite of the high level of cognitive and social disability associated with traumatic brain injury.
Phillips
V L
VL
The Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. vphiloi@sph.emory.edu
Greenspan
Arlene I
AI
Stringer
Anthony Y
AY
Stroble
Anna K
AK
Lehtonen
Sanna
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000145:classification / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010351:Patient Discharge; D013997:Time Factors