Interprofessional collaboration and communication to facilitate implementation of cognitive rehabilitation in persons with brain injury

Occupational therapy practice to support executive function impairment after acquired brain injury: A UK clinical survey

“…Moreover, EFI is a complex construct (Cramm et al, 2016; Skidmore et al, 2023), and allied-health clinicians have found this cognitive domain challenging to treat (Downing et al, 2019; Nowell et al, 2020). Consequently, the use of collaborative team-working including shared communication, identification of client goals and shared or complementary working practices (Körner, 2010) that focus on client centred functional outcomes (Waldron-Perrine et al, 2022) may be particularly relevant for treating individuals with EFI after ABI. This can include use of joint clinical sessions (Suddick and De Souza, 2007) incorporating clinical disciplines working within their individual specialisations and scope (Waldron-Perrine et al, 2022), in addition to family and carer involvement in the rehabilitation process (Lannin et al, 2021).…”

“…Consequently, the use of collaborative team-working including shared communication, identification of client goals and shared or complementary working practices (Körner, 2010) that focus on client centred functional outcomes (Waldron-Perrine et al, 2022) may be particularly relevant for treating individuals with EFI after ABI. This can include use of joint clinical sessions (Suddick and De Souza, 2007) incorporating clinical disciplines working within their individual specialisations and scope (Waldron-Perrine et al, 2022), in addition to family and carer involvement in the rehabilitation process (Lannin et al, 2021). The use of collaborative team-working has similarly been identified in other multidisciplinary clinical practice surveys on cognitive rehabilitation after TBI (Downing et al, 2019; Pagan et al, 2015; Nowell et al, 2020).…”

Strengthening the connection between clinical research and clinical practice of cognitive rehabilitation

“…Multidisciplinary training of clinicians in evidence-based cognitive rehabilitation interventions is necessary to ensure broad based knowledge of the constructs addressed by the treatment protocol as well as the appropriate application of the treatment to various clinical populations and practice domains. A strong history of collaboration within multidisciplinary teams is indeed a great strength of the field of clinical rehabilitation and such interprofessional collaboration and communication can contribute to improved knowledge translation and implementation of cognitive rehabilitation interventions ( 9 , 15 ). Multidisciplinary teams and interprofessional collaborations have in fact contributed to the development of clinical practice guidelines and standards in the area of cognitive rehabilitation ( 15 , 21 – 23 ).…”

“…A strong history of collaboration within multidisciplinary teams is indeed a great strength of the field of clinical rehabilitation and such interprofessional collaboration and communication can contribute to improved knowledge translation and implementation of cognitive rehabilitation interventions ( 9 , 15 ). Multidisciplinary teams and interprofessional collaborations have in fact contributed to the development of clinical practice guidelines and standards in the area of cognitive rehabilitation ( 15 , 21 – 23 ). However, increased feedback from front-line clinical staff regarding the use of research-based interventions in practice will allow for “two-way” communication to enhance evidence-based practice.…”

“…Formal tracking and documentation of needed and implemented modifications, as well as improved dialogue between researchers and clinicians are necessities. Such dialogue will encourage a common language through which to communicate about cognitive rehabilitation concepts ( 15 ) and to develop increasingly flexible interventions to address individual needs and cognitive presentations.…”