title: Family needs in the chronic phase after severe brain injury in Denmark.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This preliminary study aimed at investigating (1) changes in the status of family members between time of injury and follow-up in the chronic phase and (2) the most important needs within the family in the chronic phase and whether the needs were perceived as met.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample comprised 42 relatives (76% female, mean age = 53 years) of patients with severe brain injury, who had received intensive sub-acute rehabilitation. The relatives were contacted in the chronic phase after brain injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  A set of questions about demographics and time spent caregiving for the patient was completed. The relatives completed the revised version of the Family Needs Questionnaire, a questionnaire consisting of 37 items related to different needs following brain injury.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant changes in status were found in employment (z = -3.464, p = 0.001) and co-habitation (z = -3.317, p = 0.001). The sub-scale 'Health Information' (Mean = 3.50, SD = 0.73) had the highest mean importance rating, whereas the sub-scale 'Emotional support' (Mean = 3.07, SD = 0.79) had the lowest. When combining importance and met ratings, it was found that the five most important needs were only met in 41-50% of the total sample.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Occupational and co-habitation status of the relatives was significantly affected by brain injury. A high number of relatives reported family needs not satisfied in the chronic phase. This requires an interventional approach for families to get these needs fulfilled individually, even after rehabilitation.
authors.affiliation: Research Unit on Brain Injury rehabilitation, Copenhagen (RUBRIC), Department of Neurorehabilitation, Traumatic Brain Injury Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital , Glostrup , Denmark and.
authors.forename: Karoline
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Doser
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Norup
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D020208:Brain Injury, Chronic / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Brain injury; Caregivers needs; co-habitation status; demographic changes; follow-up; occupational status; relative; time spent caregiving