title: Systems analysis of community and health services for acquired brain injury in Ontario, Canada.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To conduct a systems analysis on community and health services for individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI) in the province of Ontario, Canada.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study employed a triangulation design. This design is used when there is a need to validate quantitative results with qualitative data, as is the case in the present study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-two healthcare professionals and/or healthcare administrators from organizations across the province and across the continuum of care were surveyed. A 1-day focus group was also held to validate the study findings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The main results of this study revealed: (1) a lack of services for children/adolescents; (2) service gaps for individuals with co-existing mental health conditions; (3) a lack of services related to employment; (4) changes in casemix, in terms of more individuals with co-morbid medical and mental health conditions (with many of the organizations reporting medical instability and severe behavioural disorders as exclusion criteria); and (5) a need for more organizations to track patient outcomes for evaluation and/or accountability purposes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings from this study will lead to improvement of current services but also improved planning of future services for individuals with ABI.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health Policy, Management & Evaluation, University of Toronto , Toronto, Ontario , Canada .
authors.forename: Sarah E P
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Munce
authors.forename: Rika Vander
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Laan
authors.forename: Charissa
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Levy
authors.forename: Daria
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Parsons
authors.forename: Susan B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Jaglal
mesh_terms: D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000628:therapy*; D002170:Canada; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D017281:Cost of Illness; D017144:Focus Groups; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D009864:Ontario; D063868:Patient Outcome Assessment; D012107:Research Design; D013597:Systems Analysis
keywords: Acquired brain injury; community; health services; rehabilitation; systems analysis