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The Transition from Hospital to Home: Protocol for a Longitudinal Study of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 February 2018

India Bohanna ,
Michelle S. Fitts ,
Katrina Bird ,
Jennifer Fleming ,
John Gilroy ,
Adrian Esterman ,
Paul Maruff  and
Alan R. Clough
India Bohanna*
Affiliation:
College of Public Health, Medical & Veterinary Sciences, Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
Michelle S. Fitts
Affiliation:
College of Public Health, Medical & Veterinary Sciences, Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
Katrina Bird
Affiliation:
College of Public Health, Medical & Veterinary Sciences, Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
Jennifer Fleming
Affiliation:
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
John Gilroy
Affiliation:
Faculty of Health Sciences, Centre for Disability Research and Policy, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Adrian Esterman
Affiliation:
Sansom Institute for Health Research and School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of South Australia and Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4870, Australia
Paul Maruff
Affiliation:
Department of Medicine, Austin Health, The University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
Alan R. Clough
Affiliation:
Community-based Health Promotion and Prevention Studies Group, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, Qld 4870, Australia
*
Address for correspondence: Dr India Bohanna, College of Public Health, Medical & Veterinary Sciences, Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia. E-mail: india.bohanna@jcu.edu.au
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Abstract

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of disability in Australia. Evidence shows that multidisciplinary rehabilitation and support in the six months following TBI is important for successful independent living and social re-integration. Despite this, access to services and supports during this period is often limited by environmental, socio-economic, geographic and cultural factors. Australian studies on outcomes after brain injury have reported primarily on non-Indigenous people. This study will investigate key sentinel events during the transition from hospital to home after a TBI in the first longitudinal study with Indigenous Australians.

Method: Indigenous Australians admitted to one of three major trauma hospitals in northern Australia with a TBI, and their care givers, will be recruited. Clinical and brain injury risk factor information, along with measures of cognitive function, transition events, mental health and community re-integration will be collected at three time points prior to hospital discharge, and at three and six months post-discharge. Qualitative interviews will also be conducted. Data will be analysed using regression methods for the quantitative component, and situational analysis for the qualitative component. Annual rates of brain injury will be calculated for patients admitted to tertiary hospital facilities in the study region with a diagnosis of TBI.

Discussion: Understanding the experience and events which shape the transition period is critical to determining the services and supports that may enhance transition outcomes, and ensure that such services are culturally appropriate and endorsed by Indigenous families and communities.

Keywords

AboriginalIndigenousAboriginal and Torres Strait Islandertraumatic brain injuryrehabilitationAustralia
Type
Articles
Information
Brain Impairment , Volume 19 , Issue 3 , December 2018 , pp. 246 - 257
Copyright
Copyright © Australasian Society for the Study of Brain Impairment 2018 

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