title: A qualitative study of the transition from hospital to home for individuals with acquired brain injury and their family caregivers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the transition experiences from hospital to home of a purposive sample of individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI).
  
  
  METHODS
  Phenomenological, qualitative design.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 individuals with ABI (mean time since discharge = 15.2 months) and 11 family caregivers. Each interview was recorded, transcribed verbatim and then inductively analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Through the inductive analysis process, a summary coding framework was developed that included that following eight main categories: the hospital experience; the transition process; the role of family caregivers; post-discharge services; friendship networks and community involvement; meaningful activities and time management; physical and psychological wellbeing; and barriers and facilitators.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of the study provide valuable insights into the lived experiences of participants and provide evidence to support the existence of a distinct transition phase within the ABI rehabilitation continuum; additional to and closely associated with the acute, post-acute and community integration phases.
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia. b.turner@shrs.uq.edu.au
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fleming
authors.forename: Petrea
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cornwell
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Worrall
authors.forename: Tamara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ownsworth
authors.forename: Terrence
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Haines
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kendall
authors.forename: Lesley
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chenoweth
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010351:Patient Discharge; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011793:Queensland; D012944:Social Support