What is rehabilitation?
As with all forms of rehabilitation the goal is to help the person achieve the maximum degree of return to their previous level of functioning within limits imposed by their residual physical, functional and cognitive impairments. Return of function is not restricted to physical reintegration but also includes reintegration for social, emotional, community and vocational domains.
TBI rehabilitation is best managed by a specialized interdisciplinary team of trained health professionals, led by a rehabilitation physician or physiatrist with specialized training.
What is the benefit of good rehabilitation?
Current evidence shows that with an earlier transfer of a moderate to severely injured TBI patient to an inpatient interdisciplinary rehabilitation unit, total hospitalization length of stay is shortened, hospitalization costs reduced, functional and cognitive progress occurs at a faster rate and a higher proportion of patients are discharged home as compared to institutional care.
However, the extent of functional recovery or final functional level of the patient at 6-12 months post-injury may be unaffected as these are more determined by the initial severity of brain injury.
Unique features of TBI rehabilitation compared to components of neurological rehabilitation include the presence of a trained clinical psychologist who guides behavioural management and cognitive monitoring within the rehabilitation team, presence of a speech and language therapist and constant communication between the team members as patients’ status may change daily.
What does TBI rehabilitation consist of?
TBI rehabilitation often consists of two phases: the inpatient phase which may last from 1-3 months locally, and the outpatient or community management phase which may continue for 2 years and beyond depending on the severity of injury and complexity of residual disability. |
The rehabilitation team........ |
- Patient and patients’ family or caregivers
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Rehabilitation physician or physiatrist
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Rehabilitation nurse, rehabilitation technicians
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Primary neurosurgeon
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Allied health professionals:
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physiotherapist
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occupational therapist
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speech and language pathologist
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clinical psychologist
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neuropsychologist
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social worker
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counselor
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Paramedical health professionals:
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dietician
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orthotist
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rehabilitation engineer
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Other medical specialists:
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ophthalmologist
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otorhinolaryngologist
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orthopaedic surgeon
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gastroenterologist
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neurologist
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Vocational rehabilitation services and counselors
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Volunteers from support groups or spiritual groups
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