Journal
JOURNAL OF REHABILITATION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Volume 46, Issue 6, Pages 879-891Publisher
JOURNAL REHAB RES & DEV
DOI: 10.1682/JRRD.2008.08.0104
Keywords
caregiving; families; Family Care Map; information needs; polytrauma; rapid assessment process; recovery; rehabilitation; resilience; stress; traumatic brain injury
Categories
Funding
- VA Health Services Research and Development Service [RRP 06149, SDR 07-044]
- VA PT/BRI QUERI
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Although research shows that caring for a family member with chronic disease or disability can cause significant distress for caregivers, it also shows that families that function well and adequately support patients can improve the quality of life and health outcomes for their ill or disabled family member. Currently, little knowledge exists about how families function and cope after a loved one has sustained polytrauma, the multiple traumatic injuries that often include traumatic brain injury (TBI). We summarize the polytrauma and TBI research about family needs during rehabilitation and recovery, describe current efforts to improve family-centered care, and detail approaches for understanding family resilience and the long-term consequences of injuries on families. We conclude with recommendations for future research in inpatient and outpatient settings where evidence has been limited for families of patients with TBI and is nonexistent for families of patients with polytrauma. Understanding many of these issues will help to better inform families of policies for benefits and resources and help researchers and clinicians plan for appropriate interventions.
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