Research Priorities for Optimizing Long-term Community Integration after Brain Injury

Abstract

ObjectiveThis paper reports on a funded summit, which convened a multidisciplinary group of experts to provide consensus on the research priorities necessary for improving long-term community integration of individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and their caregivers.MethodsThe 2-day summit was directed using the World Café Methodology, to engage stakeholders and collaboratively arrive at a consensus on the problems to be targeted in research. Participants (n=54), drawn from two Canadian provinces, included an interdisciplinary group of researchers, clinicians, representatives from brain injury associations, individuals with TBI, and caregivers. In small groups, participants discussed challenges to long-term community integration and potential initiatives that would address these barriers. Field notes from the discussions were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.ResultsThe consensus on prioritized research directions included developing interventions to optimize the functioning and participation of individuals with TBI, reducing caregiver burden, and evaluating how emerging technology can facilitate delivery of care.ConclusionsThe World Café Methodology was an effective method for developing research priorities. The breadth of expertise of participants and the collegial environment allowed for the identification of a broad perspective on important future research directions with potential to enhance the long-term community integration of individuals with brain injury.

Ten Priorities for Research Addressing the Intersections of Brain Injury, Mental Health and Addictions: A Stakeholder‐Driven Priority‐Setting Study

“…As previously mentioned, our procedures were adapted from and informed by several pre‐established methods. In line with previous priority‐setting research [ 33 , 37 , 39 , 41 , 42 , 44 ], a range of components of different methods were incorporated and several elements were uniquely devised to create an approach that was best suited to fit our guiding principles, study objectives, topic of interest and desired level of stakeholder engagement.…”

“…Solbakken et al [ 39 ] developed and executed their own approach inspired by the James Lind Alliance [ 34 ], and involved a broad group of stakeholders through a series of surveys to identify a top‐10 list of research needs regarding transitional care for patients with acute stroke. Using the World Café method, Nalder and colleagues [ 44 ] hosted a workshop to collaboratively set priorities among different stakeholder groups for optimizing long‐term community integration after TBI. Although providing key fundamental data, these studies did not use a holistic approach with broad stakeholder engagement, and the perspectives of people with lived experience were underrepresented.…”

“…However, exactly ‘what’ questions need answering is less clear. Health research priority‐setting processes have been applied to various forms of disease and disability, including MHA [ 46 , 47 , 48 ] and ABI [ 35 , 36 , 39 , 43 , 44 ] related issues, yet, until now, no priority‐setting study has been conducted to understand stakeholders' priorities for future research addressing the intersections of ABI and MHA. The lack of collaborative priorities set by representatives of diverse stakeholder groups, especially people with lived experience, represents a significant evidence gap.…”

Feasibility of ballistic strength training to improve mobility of inpatients with traumatic brain injury: A study protocol

“…A key research priority for individuals with TBI is to develop, evaluate, and implement interventions for optimising independent function and participation (Nalder et al, 2018). Muscle weakness has been identified as the leading cause of walking limitation for most people with neurological conditions (Nadeau et al, 1999;Williams et al, 2013).…”

Managing challenging behaviours in adults with traumatic brain injury: A scoping review of technology-based interventions

“…At a regional Canadian panel discussion, new technologies to optimise long-term community integration for people with TBI were identified as a research priority, particularly because of technology's ability to expand care access. 42 Technology-based interventions have been shown to have the potential to support the (self-) management of challenging behaviours in other populations (e.g., Ref. [43][44][45].…”