Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), also known as concussion, is an emerging public health issue in the United States. The estimated annual 1.2 million individuals who sustain this injury face a range of cognitive, psychological, and physical consequences for which rehabilitation protocols are being developed and implemented. On the frontlines of this developing area of rehabilitation work are professionals in a range of therapeutic settings whose practice wisdom has yet to be shared in the professional literature. This qualitative study aimed to fill this gap by exploring the experiences and insights of rehabilitation professionals serving mTBI patients in outpatient, civilian settings. An analysis of the qualitative data revealed five themes common in mTBI work, providing an in-depth look at this often challenging field of rehabilitation.

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) has emerged as a significant public health issue. Increases in both the prevalence and awareness of this injury have resulted in a greater demand for mTBI-informed care. Our exploratory, qualitative study examines the work lives of front-line mTBI professionals. Findings suggest that mTBI rehabilitation work often requires substantial emotional energy given the impact that injury-related issues have on professionals' therapeutic work with clients. We suggest that social work, with a focus on the psychosocial implications of injury and recovery, is well-positioned to take a larger role in mTBI care and rehabilitation.