title: A new perspective: a vulnerable population framework to guide research and practice for persons with traumatic brain injury.
abstract: Recovery from traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be a tumultuous lifelong and expensive process. Guided therapies for community integration within community systems are a focus of treating therapists around the world, yet there are no published discussions concerning the most fitting community context. We propose a theoretical approach for practice and research using Flaskerud and Winslow's conceptual model of vulnerable populations. Using the model constructs of health status, resource availability, and increased relative risk, we offer empirical support for proposed construct relationships applied to persons with traumatic brain injury. We then propose that interventions for health promotion, acute care, and rehabilitation or chronic disease management have a community focus, and we identify relevant goals for community-based practice and research.
authors.affiliation: Michigan State University, College of Nursing, E Lansing 48824, USA. esther.bay@ht.msu.edu
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bay
authors.forename: Grace J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Kreulen
authors.forename: Clarissa Agee
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Shavers
authors.forename: Connie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Currier
mesh_terms: D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006293:Health Promotion; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D035862:Vulnerable Populations