title: Evaluation of a virtual dialogue method for acquired brain injury education: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the potential benefit of virtual dialogues with experts as a method for educating family members and caregivers of patients with an acquired brain injury (ABI).
  
  
  METHODS
  Knowledge of ABI was assessed by questionnaire for eight participants prior to and after interacting with a virtual dialogue method, called Virtual Conversations®. Participants also completed a survey regarding their perceived value of the experience.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant improvement on the Knowledge Questionnaire was apparent from before to after participation in the virtual dialogue by the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test (Z = -1.9734; p < 0.05). Five of eight participants showed large improvement on this test. All reported enjoying and learning from the experience.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The virtual dialogue method increases knowledge of brain injury for most family caregivers. It is an effective and efficient way for family and friends of patients with ABI to learn about ABI in a short period of time at their own pace. Further evaluation of this method is indicated.
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana , Indianapolis, IN 46077, USA.
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Knapp
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gillespie
authors.forename: James F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Malec
authors.forename: Marcia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zier
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Harless
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education*; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods*; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014584:User-Computer Interface