Kristen Dams-O'Connor1, Alexandra Landau1, Jeanne Hoffman2, Jef St De Lore3. 1. a Department of Rehabilitation Medicine , Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai , New York , NY , USA. 2. b Department of Rehabilitation Medicine , University of Washington , Seattle , WA , USA. 3. c Department of Neurological Surgery , University of Washington , Seattle , WA , USA.
Abstract
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: To gather information about brain injury (BI) survivors' long-term healthcare needs, quality, barriers and facilitators. RESEARCH DESIGN: Qualitative content analysis of data gathered in focus groups using semi-structured interviews. METHODS: Forty-four community-dwelling adults participated at two clinical research centres in Seattle, Washington and New York, New York. Participants were asked open-ended questions about their experiences with healthcare in the community with regard to care needs, utilization, access, barriers and facilitators to health management. RESULTS: Central themes emerged across three categories: 1) barriers to healthcare access/utilization, 2) facilitators to healthcare access/utilization, and 3) suggestions for improving healthcare after BI. The importance of communication as both a facilitator and barrier to care was mentioned by most participants. Compensatory strategies and external tools were identified as key facilitators of medical self-management. Finally, improving clinicians' knowledge about BI emerged as a potential solution to address health needs of individuals with chronic BI. CONCLUSIONS: Additional efforts need to be made to improve access to appropriate healthcare and increase the ability for individuals to successfully navigate the healthcare system. Findings suggest several specific, low-cost modifications to healthcare delivery and strategies for improving medical self-management that can maximize long-term health maintenance for BI survivors.
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: To gather information about brain injury (BI) survivors' long-term healthcare needs, quality, barriers and facilitators. RESEARCH DESIGN: Qualitative content analysis of data gathered in focus groups using semi-structured interviews. METHODS: Forty-four community-dwelling adults participated at two clinical research centres in Seattle, Washington and New York, New York. Participants were asked open-ended questions about their experiences with healthcare in the community with regard to care needs, utilization, access, barriers and facilitators to health management. RESULTS: Central themes emerged across three categories: 1) barriers to healthcare access/utilization, 2) facilitators to healthcare access/utilization, and 3) suggestions for improving healthcare after BI. The importance of communication as both a facilitator and barrier to care was mentioned by most participants. Compensatory strategies and external tools were identified as key facilitators of medical self-management. Finally, improving clinicians' knowledge about BI emerged as a potential solution to address health needs of individuals with chronic BI. CONCLUSIONS: Additional efforts need to be made to improve access to appropriate healthcare and increase the ability for individuals to successfully navigate the healthcare system. Findings suggest several specific, low-cost modifications to healthcare delivery and strategies for improving medical self-management that can maximize long-term health maintenance for BI survivors.
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