Telephone Intervention After Traumatic Brain Injury

Subjects are recruited from the three participating TBI Model Systems of Care at Seattle, Philadelphia, and Jackson. After informed consent is obtained, some information is gathered about the injury and information about how the subject is doing cognitively, socially, and emotionally. After this information is obtained and after the subject is discharged from the acute rehabilitation unit, the subject is randomly selected to receive either standard care after discharge or standard care plus the telephone counseling.

The telephone follow-up group receives a telephone call from a research coordinator in 3-4 days, 2, 4, 8 weeks, and 5, 7, 9, 12, 15, 18, and 21 months after the date of injury. The research coordinator will work with the subject on problem-solving and self-management skills. In addition, the research coordinator will check in with a family member or friend for whom the subject has given permission to speak.

An outcome assessment is done by telephone at 12 months and 24 months after injury.

Inclusion criteria

• a primary diagnosis of traumatic brain injury upon admission to inpatient rehabilitation
• age 16 years or older
• arrival to an emergency department within 24 hours of acute injury
• receipt of both acute hospital care and inpatient rehabilitation within our facilities
• a permanent home address

Exclusion criteria

• previous hospitalization for TBI
• acute psychiatric disorder (e.g., schizophrenia or bipolar affective disorder)
• progressive neurological disease
• lack of a permanent home address
• discharge to a skilled nursing facility