Unmet service needs of persons with traumatic brain injury

Objectives: Assess unmet needs of persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI) 1 year after hospital discharge; compare perceived need with needs based on deficits (unrecognized need); determine major barriers to services; evaluate association of needs with satisfaction with life. Participants: Representative sample of 1830 community-dwelling persons with TBI aged 15 years and older. Measures: Perceived and unrecognized unmet needs, barriers to receiving services, and satisfaction with life as a function of met service needs. Results: 35.2% of participants reported at least 1 unmet need, 51.5% had unrecognized needs, 47% reported at least 1 barrier to receiving help. Receipt of services significantly increased satisfaction with life. Conclusions: Many persons experiencing TBI report having unmet service needs 1 year after hospital discharge.