Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-94fs2 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-19T00:36:25.022Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The Transition from Hospital to Home: Protocol for a Longitudinal Study of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 February 2018

India Bohanna ,
Michelle S. Fitts ,
Katrina Bird ,
Jennifer Fleming ,
John Gilroy ,
Adrian Esterman ,
Paul Maruff  and
Alan R. Clough
India Bohanna*
Affiliation:
College of Public Health, Medical & Veterinary Sciences, Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
Michelle S. Fitts
Affiliation:
College of Public Health, Medical & Veterinary Sciences, Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
Katrina Bird
Affiliation:
College of Public Health, Medical & Veterinary Sciences, Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
Jennifer Fleming
Affiliation:
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
John Gilroy
Affiliation:
Faculty of Health Sciences, Centre for Disability Research and Policy, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Adrian Esterman
Affiliation:
Sansom Institute for Health Research and School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of South Australia and Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4870, Australia
Paul Maruff
Affiliation:
Department of Medicine, Austin Health, The University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
Alan R. Clough
Affiliation:
Community-based Health Promotion and Prevention Studies Group, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, Qld 4870, Australia
*
Address for correspondence: Dr India Bohanna, College of Public Health, Medical & Veterinary Sciences, Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia. E-mail: india.bohanna@jcu.edu.au
Get access

Abstract

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of disability in Australia. Evidence shows that multidisciplinary rehabilitation and support in the six months following TBI is important for successful independent living and social re-integration. Despite this, access to services and supports during this period is often limited by environmental, socio-economic, geographic and cultural factors. Australian studies on outcomes after brain injury have reported primarily on non-Indigenous people. This study will investigate key sentinel events during the transition from hospital to home after a TBI in the first longitudinal study with Indigenous Australians.

Method: Indigenous Australians admitted to one of three major trauma hospitals in northern Australia with a TBI, and their care givers, will be recruited. Clinical and brain injury risk factor information, along with measures of cognitive function, transition events, mental health and community re-integration will be collected at three time points prior to hospital discharge, and at three and six months post-discharge. Qualitative interviews will also be conducted. Data will be analysed using regression methods for the quantitative component, and situational analysis for the qualitative component. Annual rates of brain injury will be calculated for patients admitted to tertiary hospital facilities in the study region with a diagnosis of TBI.

Discussion: Understanding the experience and events which shape the transition period is critical to determining the services and supports that may enhance transition outcomes, and ensure that such services are culturally appropriate and endorsed by Indigenous families and communities.

Keywords

AboriginalIndigenousAboriginal and Torres Strait Islandertraumatic brain injuryrehabilitationAustralia
Type
Articles
Information
Brain Impairment , Volume 19 , Issue 3 , December 2018 , pp. 246 - 257
Copyright
Copyright © Australasian Society for the Study of Brain Impairment 2018 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of New South Wales Ethics Committee (2013). Guidelines for research into aboriginal health. Retrieved from http://www.ahmrc.org.au/media/resources/ethics/ethics-application-resources/271-ah-mrc-guidelines-for-research-into-aboriginal-health-key-principles-1.html.Google Scholar
Armstrong, E., Hersh, D., Katzenellenbogen, J., Coffin, J., Thompson, S., Ciccone, N., . . . Woods, D. (2015). Study protocol: Missing voices- communication difficulties after stroke and traumatic brain injury in Aboriginal Australians. Brain Impairment, 16 (2), 145–156.Google Scholar
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). (2004). National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey (NATSISS) 2002, cat. no.4714.0. Canberra, Australia: ABS. Retrieved from: http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/4714.0Main+Features12002Google Scholar
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2012). Hospital separations due to injury and poisoning, Australia 2009–10. Canberra, Australia: AIHW. Retrieved from http://www.aihw.gov.au/publication-detail/?id=60129542183.Google Scholar
Bernabeu, M., Laxe, S., Lopez, R., Stucki, G., Ward, A., Barnes, M., . . . Zasler, N. (2009). Developing core sets for persons with traumatic brain injury based on the international classification of functioning, disability, and health. Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, 23 (5), 464–467. doi: 10.1177/1545968308328725.Google Scholar
Bohanna, I., Stephens, A., Wargent, R., Catherall, J., Timms, C., Graham, D., & Clough, A. (2013). Assessment of acquired brain injury in aboriginal and torres strait Islander Australians: Guidance for DisabilityCare Australia. James Cook University. Retrieved from http://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/28428/.Google Scholar
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3 (2), 77–101.Google Scholar
Brown, A.D., Mentha, R., Rowley, K.G., Skinner, T., Davy, C., & O'Dea, K. (2013). Depression in Aboriginal men in central Australia: Adaptation of the patient health questionnaire 9. BMC Psychiatry, 13 (1), 1. doi: 10.1186/1471-244X-13-271.Google Scholar
Cairney, S., O'Connor, N., Dingwall, K.M., Maruff, P., Shafiq-Antonacci, R., Currie, J., & Currie, B.J. (2013). A prospective study of neurocognitive changes 15 years after chronic inhalant abuse. Addiction, 108 (6), 1107–1114. doi: 10.1111/add.12124.Google Scholar
Clarke, A.E. (2005). Situational analysis: Grounded theory after the postmodern turn. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.Google Scholar
Clough, A.R., Bailie, R., Burns, C.B., Guyula, T., Wunungmurra, R., & Wanybarrnga, S.R. (2002). Methods: Validity and utility of community health workers' estimation of kava use. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 26 (1), 52–57. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-842X.2002.tb00271.x.Google Scholar
Clough, A.R., Cairney, S., D'abbs, P., Parker, R., Maruff, P., Gray, D., & O'reilly, B. (2004). Measuring exposure to cannabis use and other substance use in remote aboriginal populations in Northern Australia: Evaluation of a ‘community epidemiology’ approach using proxy respondents. Addiction Research & Theory, 12 (3), 261–274. doi: 10.1080/16066350410001667143.Google Scholar
Conneeley, A.L. (2002). Social integration following traumatic brain injury and rehabilitation. The British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 65 (8), 356–362. doi: 10.1177/030802260206500802.Google Scholar
Council of Australian Governments (COAG). (2011). National disability strategy 2010–2020. Canberra, Australia: Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved from https://www.dss.gov.au/our-responsibilities/disability-and-carers/program-services/government-international/national-disability-strategy.Google Scholar
Creswell, J.W., & Plano Clark, V. (2007). Designing and conducting mixed methods research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.Google Scholar
Doig, E., Fleming, J., & Tooth, L. (2001). Patterns of community integration 2–5 years post-discharge from brain injury rehabilitation. Brain Injury, 15 (9), 747–762. doi: 10.1080/02699050119845.Google Scholar
Draper, K., Ponsford, J., & Schönberger, M. (2007). Psychosocial and emotional outcomes 10 years following traumatic brain injury. The Journal of head trauma rehabilitation, 22 (5), 278–287. doi: 10.1097/01.HTR.0000290972.63753.a7.Google Scholar
Fleming, J., Tooth, L., Hassell, M., & Chan, W. (1999). Prediction of community integration and vocational outcome 2–5 years after traumatic brain injury rehabilitation in Australia. Brain Injury, 13 (6), 417–431. doi: 10.1080/026990599121476.Google Scholar
Foster, M., Fleming, J., Tilse, C., & Rosenman, L. (2000). Referral to post-acute care following traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the Australian context. Brain Injury, 14 (12), 1035–1045. doi: 10.1080/02699050050203531.Google Scholar
Gilroy, J. (2012). The participation of aboriginal people with disability in disability services in NSW, Australia. Retrieved from https://ses.library.usyd.edu.au/handle/2123/9104.Google Scholar
Gilroy, J., Donelly, M., Colmar, S., & Parmenter, T. (2013). Conceptual framework for policy and research development with Indigenous people with disabilities. Australian Aboriginal Studies, (2), 42. Retrieved from https://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=751842945817584;res=IELIND.Google Scholar
Gowing, C.J., McDermott, K.M., Ward, L.M., & Martin, B.L. (2015). Ten years of trauma in the ‘top end’ of the northern territory, Australia: A retrospective analysis. International Emergency Nursing, 23 (1), 17–21.Google Scholar
Graham, I.D., Logan, J., Harrison, M.B., Straus, S.E., Tetroe, J., Caswell, W., & Robinson, N. (2006). Lost in knowledge translation: Time for a map? Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions, 26 (1), 13–24. doi:10.1002/chp.47.Google Scholar
Harrison, J., Helps, Y., & Henley, G. (2008). Hospital separations due to traumatic brain injury, Australia 2004–05. Injury Research and Statistics Series, 45. Retrieved from http://dspace2.flinders.edu.au/xmlui/handle/2328/12061.Google Scholar
Helps, Y.L., & Harrison, J.E. (2006). Hospitalised injury of Australia's Aboriginal and torres strait Islander people: 2000–02. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (Media and Publishing Unit). Retrieved from http://www.aihw.gov.au/publication-detail/?id=6442467920.Google Scholar
Hunter, B.H., & Smith, D.E. (2002). Surveying mobile populations: Lessons from recent longitudinal surveys of Indigenous Australians. Australian Economic Review, 35 (3), 261–275. Retrieved from https://openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au/handle/1885/41427.Google Scholar
Jamieson, L.M., Harrison, J.E., & Berry, J.G. (2008). Hospitalisation for head injury due to assault among Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, July 1999–June 2005. Medical Journal of Australia, 188 (10), 576. Retrieved from https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2008/188/10/hospitalisation-head-injury-due-assault-among-indigenous-and-non-indigenous?0=ip_login_no_cache%3Ddb66f7bdc8601fcfca6aa5915897985c.Google Scholar
Katzenellenbogen, J., Atkins, E., Thompson, S., Hersh, D., Coffin, J., Flicker, L., . . . Armstrong, E. (2016). Missing voices: Profile and extent of acquired communication disorders in aboriginal and non-aboriginal adult stroke survivors in western australia using linked administrative records. International Journal of Stroke, 11 (1), 103–116. doi:10.1177/1747493015607521Google Scholar
Kowal, E., Gunthorpe, W., & Bailie, R.S. (2007). Measuring emotional and social wellbeing in aboriginal and torres strait Islander populations: An analysis of a negative life events scale. International Journal for Equity in Health, 6 (18). doi:10.1186/1475-9276-6-18.Google Scholar
Kripalani, S., Jackson, A.T., Schnipper, J.L., & Coleman, E.A. (2007). Promoting effective transitions of care at hospital discharge: A review of key issues for hospitalists. Journal of Hospital Medicine, 2 (5), 314–323. doi: 10.1002/jhm.228.Google Scholar
Lee, K.K., Conigrave, K.M., Clough, A.R., Dobbins, T.A., Jaragba, M.J., & Patton, G.C. (2009). Five-year longitudinal study of cannabis users in three remote Aboriginal communities in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia. Drug and Alcohol Review, 28 (6), 623–630. doi: 10.1111/j.1465-3362.2009.00067.x.Google Scholar
Maruff, P., Thomas, E., Cysique, L., Brew, B., Collie, A., Snyder, P., & Pietrzak, R.H. (2009). Validity of the CogState brief battery: Relationship to standardized tests and sensitivity to cognitive impairment in mild traumatic brain injury, schizophrenia, and AIDS dementia complex. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 24 (2), 165–178. doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/arclin/acp010.Google Scholar
Nalder, E., Fleming, J., Cornwell, P., & Foster, M. (2012a). Linked lives: The experiences of family caregivers during the transition from hospital to home following traumatic brain injury. Brain Impairment, 13 (1), 108. Retrieved from https://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=830759265286196;res=IELHEA.Google Scholar
Nalder, E., Fleming, J., Cornwell, P., Foster, M., & Haines, T. (2012b). Factors associated with the occurrence of sentinel events during transition from hospital to home for individuals with traumatic brain injury. Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 44 (10), 837–844. doi: https://doi.org/10.2340/16501977-1033.Google Scholar
Nalder, E., Fleming, J., Cornwell, P., Foster, M., Ownsworth, T., Shields, C., & Haines, T. (2012c). Recording sentinel events in the life course of individuals with acquired brain injury: A preliminary study. Brain Injury, 26 (11), 1381–1396. doi: https://doi.org/10.3109/02699052.2012.676225.Google Scholar
Nalder, E., Fleming, J., Cornwell, P., Shields, C., & Foster, M. (2013). Reflections on life: Experiences of individuals with brain injury during the transition from hospital to home. Brain Injury, 27 (11), 1294–1303. doi: https://doi.org/10.3109/02699052.2013.823560.Google Scholar
National Disability Insurance Scheme Act (2013). (Cth) (Austl.). Retrieved from https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2013A00020.Google Scholar
Pointer, S. (2016). Hospitalised injury in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people 2011–13. In Injury research and statistics series no. 96. Canberra: AIHW. Retrieved from http://www.aihw.gov.au/publication-detail/?id=60129554632.Google Scholar
Productivity Commission. (2011). Disability Care and Support, Report no. 54. Canberra, Australia: Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved from: http://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/completed/disability-support/reportGoogle Scholar
Rabe-Hesketh, S., Skrondal, A., & Pickles, A. (2004). Generalized multilevel structural equation modeling. Psychometrika, 69, 167–190. doi:10.1007/BF02295939.Google Scholar
Shores, E.A., Marosszeky, J.E., Sandanam, J., & Batchelor, J. (1986). Preliminary validation of a clinical scale for measuring the duration of post-traumatic amnesia. Medical Journal of Australia, 144 (11), 569–572. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Edwin_Shores/publication/19447522_Preliminary_validation_of_a_scale_for_measuring_the_duration_of_post-traumatic_amnesia/links/02e7e5246bbc2b6187000000.pdf.Google Scholar
Spitzer, R. L., Kroenke, K., Williams, J. B., & Löwe, B. (2006). A brief measure for assessing generalized anxiety disorder: The GAD-7. Archives of Internal Medicine, 166 (10), 1092–1097. doi:10.1001/archinte.166.10.1092.Google Scholar
Tate, R.L., Harris, R.D., Cameron, I.D., Myles, B.M., Winstanley, J.B., Hodgkinson, A.E., . . . Harradine, P.G. (2006). Recovery of impairments after severe traumatic brain injury: Findings from a prospective, multicentre study. Brain Impairment, 7 (1), 1–15. doi: https://doi.org/10.1375/brim.7.1.1.Google Scholar
The National Health and Medical Research Council, the Australian Research Council and the Australian Vice-Chancellors’ Committee (2015). National statement on ethical conduct in human research 2007. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved from https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/guidelines-publications/e72.Google Scholar
Turner, B., Fleming, J., Cornwell, P., Haines, T., & Ownsworth, T. (2009a). Profiling early outcomes during the transition from hospital to home after brain injury. Brain Injury, 23 (1), 51–60. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/02699050802635257.Google Scholar
Turner, B., Ownsworth, T., Cornwell, P., & Fleming, J. (2009b). Reengagement in meaningful occupations during the transition from hospital to home for people with acquired brain injury and their family caregivers. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 63 (5), 609–620. doi:10.5014/ajot.63.5.609.Google Scholar
Turner-Stokes, L., Disler, P., Nair, A., & Wade, D. (2005). Multi-disciplinary rehabilitation for acquired brain injury in adults of working age. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (3). doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD004170.pub2.Google Scholar