Challenging Behaviours, Co-morbidities, Service Utilisation and Service Access among Community-dwelling Adults with Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: A Multicentre Study. Issue 1 (14th May 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Simpson, Grahame K.; Sabaz, Mark; Daher, Maysaa; Gordon, Robert; Strettles, Barbara
• Is Part Of: Brain impairment. Volume 15:Issue 1(2014)
• Page Start: 28
• Page End: 42
• Publication Date: 2014-05-14
• Subjects: Brain Diseases -- Congresses; Brain Diseases -- Periodicals; Brain -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.805
• DOI: 10.1017/BrImp.2014.7
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1443-9646

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="normal"> <title> <x content-type="archive" xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>Objective: To examine patterns, predictors and unmet needs of service utilisation and access to mental health and/or drug and alcohol services among community-dwelling adults with severe traumatic brain injury, and compare those who displayed challenging behaviours with those not displaying challenging behaviour.</p> <p>Design: Retrospective multicentre study.</p> <p>Subjects: All active clients (<italic>n</italic> = 507) of the New South Wales (NSW) Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program (BIRP) community rehabilitation teams.</p> <p>Methods: Clinician-rated data were collected on client challenging behaviours, mental health and functional status, service utilisation and unmet needs. Between-groups analyses (challenging behaviour versus no challenging behaviours) were conducted to examine patterns of service utilisation and unmet needs. Predictors for service utilisation were tested by multiple linear regression.</p> <p>Results: Challenging behaviours were associated with higher use of BIRP and non-BIRP services and greater levels of unmet needs. Challenging behaviour was an independent predictor of higher levels of service utilisation, in conjunction with pre- and post-injury mental health and drug and alcohol co-morbidities and geographic location. Only 15.3% of the 111 clients with challenging behaviours and co-morbid drug and alcohol problems accessed a drug and alcohol service, while another 32.4% had unmet needs for such services.</p> <p>Conclusion: Challenging behaviours make an independent contribution to increased levels of service utilisation after severe traumatic brain injury.</p> </abstract>