Objective: To ascertain patient and caregiver satisfaction with an individualized case management intervention to improve transition from inpatient rehabilitation care to the community after traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Setting: Participants from 6 National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research-funded TBI Model Systems sites in the United States.
Participants: Adult, English-speaking patients with TBI who had moderate-to-severe TBI and were discharged from a TBI Model Systems site and who were in the intervention arm of the Brain Injury Rehabilitation: Improving the Transition Experience pragmatic clinical trial, as well as their caregivers.
Design: A survey of participants in the intervention arm, which included an individualized case management program administered by a TBI Care Manager (TCM) who facilitated resource connection, education, and support.
Main measures: Satisfaction with intervention was measured through Likert-scaled and open-ended questions. The survey was administered verbally through telephone, audio-recorded, and transcribed. Descriptive statistics were calculated for categorical variables, and content analysis was conducted for open-ended responses.
Results: Patient and caregiver participants were satisfied with the intervention and highlighted the benefits of the interpersonal and practical support provided by the TCM. Participants identified the need for a more intensive intervention and clear expectations of the TCM role, as well as gaps in available medical and rehabilitation services in the community, as areas for improvement.
Conclusion: Patients with TBI and their caregivers reported satisfaction with the individualized case management program in supporting their transition from inpatient rehabilitation to the community. Further research is needed to understand the impact on outcomes.
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