title: Impact of the Brain Injury Family Intervention (BIFI) training on rehabilitation providers: A mixed methods study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The psychological impact of TBI is vast, leading to adverse effects on survivors and their caregivers. Unhealthy family functioning may be mitigated by therapeutic strategies, particularly interdisciplinary family systems approaches like the well-documented Brain Injury Family Intervention (BIFI). Little is known about the experience of providers who offer such interventions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This mixed methods study aims to demonstrate that a structured three-day training on the BIFI protocol improves providers' knowledge and confidence in working with survivors and families, and that this outcome is sustainable.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were 34 providers who participated in an intensive training and completed a web-based survey at four points of time. Quantitative data were analyzed via Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and binomial test of proportions. Qualitative data were analyzed according to rigorous coding procedures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Providers' knowledge of brain injury and their ability to conceptualize treatment models for survivors and their families increased significantly and mostly remain consistent over time. Qualitative data point to additional gains, such as understanding of family systems.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Past studies quantify the BIFI as an evidence-based intervention. This study supports the effectiveness of training and serves as first to demonstrate the benefit for providers short- and long-term.
authors.affiliation: Department of Graduate Psychology, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA, USA.
authors.forename: Cara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Meixner
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA, USA.
authors.forename: Cynthia R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: O'Donoghue
authors.affiliation: Department of Graduate Psychology, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA, USA.
authors.forename: Vesna
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hart
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000066530:Neurological Rehabilitation / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: BIFI; Brain injury; family systems; mixed methods