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A Qualitative Study on the Transition Support Needs of Indigenous Australians Following Traumatic Brain Injury

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 August 2019

Michelle S. Fitts ,
Katrina Bird ,
John Gilroy ,
Jennifer Fleming ,
Alan R. Clough ,
Adrian Esterman ,
Paul Maruff ,
Yaqoot Fatima  and
India Bohanna
Michelle S. Fitts*
Affiliation:
College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia Centre for Alcohol Policy Research, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Katrina Bird
Affiliation:
College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
John Gilroy
Affiliation:
Department of Health Sciences, Centre for Disability Research and Policy, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Jennifer Fleming
Affiliation:
College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, Queensland, Australia
Alan R. Clough
Affiliation:
Community-Based Health Promotion and Prevention Studies Group, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
Adrian Esterman
Affiliation:
Sansom Institute for Health Research and School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
Paul Maruff
Affiliation:
Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
Yaqoot Fatima
Affiliation:
Centre for Rural and Remote Health (Mount Isa), Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Mount Isa, Queensland, Australia
India Bohanna
Affiliation:
College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
*
*Corresponding author. Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

Objective:

A growing body of qualitative literature globally describes post-hospital experiences during early recovery from a traumatic brain injury. For Indigenous Australians, however, little published information is available. This study aimed to understand the lived experiences of Indigenous Australians during the 6 months post-discharge, identify the help and supports accessed during transition and understand the gaps in service provision or difficulties experienced.

Methods and Procedure:

Semi-structured interviews were conducted at 6 months after hospital discharge to gain an understanding of the needs and lived experiences of 11 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians who had suffered traumatic brain injury in Queensland and Northern Territory, Australia. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results:

Five major themes were identified within the data. These were labelled ‘hospital experiences’, ‘engaging with medical and community-based supports’, ‘health and wellbeing impacts from the injury’, ‘everyday living’ and ‘family adjustments post-injury’.

Conclusions:

While some of the transition experiences for Indigenous Australians were similar to those found in other populations, the transition period for Indigenous Australians is influenced by additional factors in hospital and during their recovery process. Lack of meaningful interaction with treating clinicians in hospital, challenges managing direct contact with multiple service providers and the injury-related psychological impacts are some of the factors that could prevent Indigenous Australians from receiving the supports they require to achieve their best possible health outcomes in the long term. A holistic approach to care, with an individualised, coordinated transition support, may reduce the risks for re-admission with further head injuries.

Keywords

Traumatic brain injurytransitionsAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healthIndigenousqualitative researchdisability
Type
Articles
Information
Brain Impairment , Volume 20 , Special Issue 2: Brain Impairment in Indigenous Populations , September 2019 , pp. 137 - 159
Copyright
© Australasian Society for the Study of Brain Impairment 2019 

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