Document Type

Scholarship Project

Publication Date

2025

College/Unit

School of Medicine

Department/Program/Center

Occupational Therapy

Abstract

This study investigated unmet needs of individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and of their caregivers living in rural communities. The objective of this research study was to identify occupational therapy’s role and intervention priorities for individuals with TBI and their caregivers in rural settings. Descriptive statistics were generated from quantitative survey responses obtained from 84 community-dwelling individuals with TBI and 40 caregivers ranging in age from 18 to 80 years. The most identified “barriers” were poor awareness of the ways to receive services (TBI Survivors = 65%, Caregivers = 61%), inadequate professional/provider knowledge about available supports and services (TBI Survivors = 63%, Caregivers = 52%), and difficulty finding healthcare providers who understand brain injury (TBI Survivors = 55%). Needs reported as being most frequently “unmet” among individuals with TBI were cognition (43%), establishing relationships (39%), and opportunities to socialize (37%). Caregiver’s most identified “unmet” needs were financial assistance (43%), behavior services for the individual with TBI (52%), services to increase the independent living skills of the individual with TBI (49%), help with developing/maintaining friendships and relationships (33%), and help finding/accessing recreational or leisure activities (40%). Participants prioritized unmet needs that were consistently within the occupational therapy scope of practice. Findings indicate a lack of services and support related to cognition and social aspects of TBI recovery. Study findings support the need to ensure that OT practitioners have the knowledge and skills to support client cognitive performance and to facilitate meaningful social networks. Discharge considerations should consider higher-level cognitive and social rehabilitation needs.

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