The impact of the <scp>COVID</scp>‐19 pandemic on the well‐being of individuals with persistent postconcussive symptoms: A qualitative study

Machan, Matthew; Jahraus, Cari; Debert, Chantel T.; Roach, Pamela

doi:10.1002/pmrj.12851

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 50 publications

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“…Reducing as the most frequent psychosocial issues experienced by brain injury survivors during the COVID-19 pandemic (5,16). Limited access to treatment or social support during the pandemic also contributed to increased mental health issues in this population (24). Within the brain injury population, there are subgroups that face additional disparities, such as women and LGBTQI2SA+ individuals.…”

Section: Subcategory Occurrences Examplesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on community-based brain injury associations across Canada: a cross-sectional survey study

Salazar,

Bottari,

Lecours

et al. 2023

Front. Public Health

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BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic created new difficulties for people living with brain injury, their families, and caregivers while amplifying the challenges of community-based associations that support them. We aimed to understand the effects of the pandemic on clients who live with brain injury, as well as on the provision of community brain injury services/programs in Canada.MethodsOnline cross-sectional survey conducted in January 2022. Representatives of brain injury associations across Canada completed the 31 open- and closed-ended questions about meeting clients’ needs, addressing public health guidelines, and sustaining the association. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (close-ended questions) and qualitative content analysis (open-ended questions).ResultsOf the 45 key representatives from associations in Pacific/Western (40%), Central (56%), and Atlantic Canada (4%), the majority were paid executive directors (67%). Participants reported that the most frequent psychosocial challenges experienced by their clients during the pandemic were social isolation (98%), loneliness (96%), and anxiety (93%). To alleviate these challenges, associations implemented wellness checks and psychosocial support. Most respondents (91%) affirmed that clients faced multiple technological barriers, such as a lack of technological knowledge and financial resources for devices and/or internet. In the open-ended questions, twenty-nine (64%) associations reported providing clients with devices, technology training, and assistance. Regarding public health measures, thirty (67%) respondents reported that clients had challenges understanding and/or following public health guidelines. Forty-two associations (93%) provided tailored information to help clients understand and comply with public health measures. Although associations (67%) received pandemic-related funding from the Canadian government they still struggled with the association’s sustainability. Thirty-four (76%) lost funding or financial resources that prevented them from delivering programs or required the use of reserve funds to continue to do so. Only 56% reported receiving sufficient funding to address additional COVID-19-related expenses.ConclusionAlthough the pandemic added further challenges to the sustainability of brain injury associations across Canada, they quickly adapted services/programs to respond to the increasing and varied needs of clients, while complying with protective measures. To ensure community associations’ survival it is essential to aptly recognize the vital role played by these associations within the brain injury care continuum.

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Section: Subcategory Occurrences Examplesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on community-based brain injury associations across Canada: a cross-sectional survey study

Salazar,

Bottari,

Lecours

et al. 2023

Front. Public Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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The impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the well‐being of individuals with persistent postconcussive symptoms: A qualitative study

Machan

Jahraus

Debert

et al. 2022

PM&R

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Background In response to the COVID‐19 pandemic, public health measures were implemented that closed essential businesses, mandated social distancing, and imposed substantial changes to the routine care experienced by patients with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and persistent postconcussive symptoms (PPCS). Patients with PPCS often rely on a comprehensive care team, requiring in‐person treatments and consistent care. Little information exists regarding how access to these services have been affected by public health measures and what outcome the measures have had on the recovery of patients with PPCS. Objective To explore the impact of the restriction of in‐person treatments, shifts to virtual care, and global public health measures on the recovery and psychological well‐being of patients with PPCS. Design Qualitative interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using a reflexive thematic analysis approach to identify the main impacts of the public health measures on participants with PPCS. Setting Participant interviews were completed remotely via telephone or video‐calling software during province‐wide shutdowns. Participants 20 individuals with PPCS who attended the institution's Brain Injury Program consented to participate. Interventions Not applicable. Results The impacts of the public health measures emerged most prominently in three main categories: (1) day‐to‐day lived experiences, (2) personal health status, and (3) health service experiences and barriers. Conclusions This in‐depth investigation of the lived experiences of patients with PPCS outlines how the COVID‐19 public health measures negatively affected their care and well‐being. The analysis identified that through increasing social support systems, providing better access to standard or remote treatment, and developing more effective telehealth strategies, this population could be better supported in the event of future public health measures.

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Moving from the clinic to telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic – a pilot clinical trial comparing in-clinic rehabilitation versus telerehabilitation for persisting symptoms following a mild Traumatic brain injury

Langevin

Frémont

Fait

et al. 2023

Disability and Rehabilitation

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The impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the well‐being of individuals with persistent postconcussive symptoms: A qualitative study

Cited by 3 publications

References 50 publications

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on community-based brain injury associations across Canada: a cross-sectional survey study

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on community-based brain injury associations across Canada: a cross-sectional survey study

The impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the well‐being of individuals with persistent postconcussive symptoms: A qualitative study

Moving from the clinic to telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic – a pilot clinical trial comparing in-clinic rehabilitation versus telerehabilitation for persisting symptoms following a mild Traumatic brain injury

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