scholarly journals Driving After Traumatic Brain Injury: Closing the Gap Between Assessing, Rehabilitating and Safe Driving

Author(s):  
Sylvain Gagnon ◽  
Andrea Jane ◽  
Shawn Marshall
2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tarak Chouari ◽  
Hamza Khan ◽  
Umar Wali ◽  
Arun Shanmuganandan

Abstract Introduction Driving is a complex activity involving the coordination of a number of cognitive and physical skills, which may be impaired after head injury. It is a legal requirement that patients’ inform the licensing authority when they have sustained a head injury. Failure to do so results in possible fines, invalid insurance and prosecution. NICE recommends printed patient advice about driving once discharged following a head injury. Methods A retrospective analysis of all traumatic brain injury admissions under the surgical team over a 6 months was performed. The aim was to identify current practice regarding assisting patients to return to safe driving after head injury. Information related to patient demographics, documented driving status and advice (verbal and written) related to driving, was sought. Descriptive statistics were used to portray the results. Results 56 patients were admitted following a traumatic head injury. The average age was 77 (range of 24 to 94) Patients spent on average 4 days in hospital. Only 2 patients had their driving status documented. These two patients also had a documented occupation dependent on driving. No patients received advice specific to DVLA guidelines. Conclusion This study demonstrates that there is poor compliance with NICE guidelines. Indeed, there is a need for change in our practice. We have a duty of care for our patients and in ensuring the safety of the general public. The main limitation of this study relates to the adequacy of documentation. We provide solutions in order to tackle the findings of this audit.


2019 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colleen M. Kelley ◽  
Larry L. Jacoby

Abstract Cognitive control constrains retrieval processing and so restricts what comes to mind as input to the attribution system. We review evidence that older adults, patients with Alzheimer's disease, and people with traumatic brain injury exert less cognitive control during retrieval, and so are susceptible to memory misattributions in the form of dramatic levels of false remembering.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 88-96
Author(s):  
Mary R. T. Kennedy

Purpose The purpose of this clinical focus article is to provide speech-language pathologists with a brief update of the evidence that provides possible explanations for our experiences while coaching college students with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Method The narrative text provides readers with lessons we learned as speech-language pathologists functioning as cognitive coaches to college students with TBI. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list, but rather to consider the recent scientific evidence that will help our understanding of how best to coach these college students. Conclusion Four lessons are described. Lesson 1 focuses on the value of self-reported responses to surveys, questionnaires, and interviews. Lesson 2 addresses the use of immediate/proximal goals as leverage for students to update their sense of self and how their abilities and disabilities may alter their more distal goals. Lesson 3 reminds us that teamwork is necessary to address the complex issues facing these students, which include their developmental stage, the sudden onset of trauma to the brain, and having to navigate going to college with a TBI. Lesson 4 focuses on the need for college students with TBI to learn how to self-advocate with instructors, family, and peers.


2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 1363-1370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Brown ◽  
Katy O'Brien ◽  
Kelly Knollman-Porter ◽  
Tracey Wallace

Purpose The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released guidelines for rehabilitation professionals regarding the care of children with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Given that mTBI impacts millions of children each year and can be particularly detrimental to children in middle and high school age groups, access to universal recommendations for management of postinjury symptoms is ideal. Method This viewpoint article examines the CDC guidelines and applies these recommendations directly to speech-language pathology practices. In particular, education, assessment, treatment, team management, and ongoing monitoring are discussed. In addition, suggested timelines regarding implementation of services by speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are provided. Specific focus is placed on adolescents (i.e., middle and high school–age children). Results SLPs are critical members of the rehabilitation team working with children with mTBI and should be involved in education, symptom monitoring, and assessment early in the recovery process. SLPs can also provide unique insight into the cognitive and linguistic challenges of these students and can serve to bridge the gap among rehabilitation and school-based professionals, the adolescent with brain injury, and their parents. Conclusion The guidelines provided by the CDC, along with evidence from the field of speech pathology, can guide SLPs to advocate for involvement in the care of adolescents with mTBI. More research is needed to enhance the evidence base for direct assessment and treatment with this population; however, SLPs can use their extensive knowledge and experience working with individuals with traumatic brain injury as a starting point for post-mTBI care.


ASHA Leader ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 15 (13) ◽  
pp. 38-38
Author(s):  
G. Gayle Kelley

Author(s):  
Oscar D. Guillamondegui

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious epidemic in the United States. It affects patients of all ages, race, and socioeconomic status (SES). The current care of these patients typically manifests after sequelae have been identified after discharge from the hospital, long after the inciting event. The purpose of this article is to introduce the concept of identification and management of the TBI patient from the moment of injury through long-term care as a multidisciplinary approach. By promoting an awareness of the issues that develop around the acutely injured brain and linking them to long-term outcomes, the trauma team can initiate care early to alter the effect on the patient, family, and community. Hopefully, by describing the care afforded at a trauma center and by a multidisciplinary team, we can bring a better understanding to the armamentarium of methods utilized to treat the difficult population of TBI patients.


Author(s):  
Paula Denslow ◽  
Jean Doster ◽  
Kristin King ◽  
Jennifer Rayman

Children and youth who sustain traumatic brain injury (TBI) are at risk for being unidentified or misidentified and, even if appropriately identified, are at risk of encountering professionals who are ill-equipped to address their unique needs. A comparison of the number of people in Tennessee ages 3–21 years incurring brain injury compared to the number of students ages 3–21 years being categorized and served as TBI by the Department of Education (DOE) motivated us to create this program. Identified needs addressed by the program include the following: (a) accurate identification of students with TBI; (b) training of school personnel; (c) development of linkages and training of hospital personnel; and (d) hospital-school transition intervention. Funded by Health Services and Resources Administration (HRSA) grants with support from the Tennessee DOE, Project BRAIN focuses on improving educational outcomes for students with TBI through the provision of specialized group training and ongoing education for educators, families, and health professionals who support students with TBI. The program seeks to link families, hospitals, and community health providers with school professionals such as speech-language pathologists (SLPs) to identify and address the needs of students with brain injury.


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