title: Individuals With Traumatic Brain Injury and Their Significant Others' Perceptions of Information Given About the Nature and Possible Consequences of Brain Injury: Analysis of a National Survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  An online survey was developed to assess how well individuals with brain injuries and family/friends of those with traumatic brain injury (TBI) (significant others) felt they were informed about the nature and consequences of brain injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 117 significant others completed the survey. They were primarily female (84.6%), white (94.9%), and well educated (81.2%). A total of 149 individuals with brain injuries completed the survey and again were primarily female (63.8%), white (88.2%), and well educated (82.9%).
  
  
  RESULTS
  More than half of the significant other respondents indicated that they were not provided enough information about TBI (53.5%). Up to 53.8% of the respondents with TBI felt that they were not provided enough information, with 43% reporting dissatisfaction with services. Female survivors and those with mild brain injuries were significantly more likely to feel that they were not provided sufficient rehabilitation or information. Increased satisfaction with services was correlated with decreased time since injury (r = -0.165, p = .049). Qualitative analysis revealed key themes about prognostic information and the adequacy of discharge planning and resources.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given that more than half of all surveyed indicated that they were not well-informed about brain injury and its possible effects, it is evident that case managers and their teams need to be aware of and invested in their efforts to educate both individuals with brain injuries and their significant others (family and friends) about both the nature and consequences of brain injury. Specific recommendations for practice are included.
authors.affiliation: Rosette C. Biester, PhD, is Clinical Associate Professor in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and senior Polytrauma Neuropsychologist at the Michael Crescentz Veteran's Affairs Medical Center. Dr Biester's expertise and contributions to the field of brain injury rehabilitation are recognized nationally, with more than 28 years of experience in clinical care, research, and teaching/training areas. Her current clinical focus is on evaluation and specialized treatment of veterans with dual diagnoses of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and posttraumatic stress disorder. Her research has focused on assessment of cognitive functioning in mild TBI, outcomes associated with blast-related injuries, challenges in communicating diagnostic and prognostic TBI information, and the association between neuroradiological and neurocognitive outcomes. David Krych, MS-CCC-SLP, CBIS, is a speech and language pathologist who has served people with brain injuries for the past 35 years. Dave's contributions to the field of brain injury rehabilitation-particularly post-acute rehabilitation-are numerous, and his pioneering and ongoing accomplishments have been widely recognized by his alma mater and professional associations to which he has dedicated many years of service. Currently, Dave serves on the Executive Team at ReMed Recovery Care Centers. Dave has presented extensively in the United States and abroad and has published on a number of brain injury-related topics. M.J. Schmidt, MA, CBIS, is both a family member of someone with a brain injury and a professional with more than 25 years of experience in the field. Schmidt has worked in acute and post-acute rehabilitation, as a researcher, and most recently with individuals who are incarcerated. Schmidt is a graduate of Southern Illinois University, with a master's degree in Rehabilitation Administration and Services. She is a certified brain injury specialist and chairs the Council on B
authors.forename: Rosette C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Biester
authors.forename: Dave
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Krych
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: Devan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Parrott
authors.forename: Douglas I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abate
authors.forename: Chari I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Hirshson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000070642:Brain Injuries, Traumatic / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy; D004496:Education, Continuing; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012938:Social Perception