Support for Traumatic Brain Injury Patients’ Family Members in Neurosurgical Nursing

Abstract

This systematic literature review describes how adult traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients' family members received support. The research question was "What in healthcare constitutes support for a TBI patient's family members?" The data for this review were based on 22 empirical studies published in scientific journals in 2004-2010, which were found in the Cinahl, PsychINFO, and ISI Web of Knowledge databases. The review includes the study design, sample, method, and main results. The data were analyzed using content analysis. Social support for brain injury patients' family members was divided into 3 main categories: informational, emotional, and practical support. The subcategories of informational support were information about the patient's symptoms, information about care, quality of information, and information about the prognosis. The subcategories of emotional support were taking emotions into account, caring, listening, and respecting. The subcategories of practical support were support in decision making, promoting the welfare of the family, encouraging family members to participate in care, cooperation with the family members, and counseling services. The results are available for nurses in practical work. The review offers nurses a structure for supporting TBI patients' families, and according to this review, supporting TBI patients' families appears to have many dimensions. The results suggest that nurses should be informed that it is important for family members to know the facts about TBI to understand the condition and to receive practical advice on how to help their significant other with TBI with daily activities. In addition, the results provide a basis for further research and development of interventions that support brain injury patients and their family members.

Family members’ needs and experiences related to driving disruption following acquired brain injury

“…During this period, family members have described their need for informational, practical and emotional support (Coco, Tossavainen, Jaaskelainen, & Turunen, 2011). Informational needs include medical and rehabilitation progress about the ABI, the discharge process, resources and support services in the community post-discharge, the goals and outcomes for the person with ABI and the scope of caregiving duties (Cameron, Naglie, Silver, & Gignac, 2013;Coco et al, 2011;Fleming et al, 2012;Lefebvre & Levert, 2012b).…”

“…During this period, family members have described their need for informational, practical and emotional support (Coco, Tossavainen, Jaaskelainen, & Turunen, 2011). Informational needs include medical and rehabilitation progress about the ABI, the discharge process, resources and support services in the community post-discharge, the goals and outcomes for the person with ABI and the scope of caregiving duties (Cameron, Naglie, Silver, & Gignac, 2013;Coco et al, 2011;Fleming et al, 2012;Lefebvre & Levert, 2012b). Family members would like this information to be provided by the healthcare professionals early after the onset of the ABI (Coco et al, 2011) through family meetings and regular followups (Coco et al, 2011;Fleming et al, 2012) and be tailored to the specific needs of the family (Lefebvre & Levert, 2012b).…”

Young people with an acquired brain injury: Development of a pilot program to support their transition to adulthood

“…Emotional support can be seen as the demonstration of caring attitudes by the health practitioners, acknowledging the feelings and emotions experienced by the families (Cooley et al, 2011;Coco et al, 2011). Caregivers have expressed the view that having an opportunity to discuss their emotions was valuable for their adjustment and coping (Coco et al, 2011).…”

“…This can be provided by significant others (family and close friends) or through access to formal supports (community organisations such as health and disability services) (Coco et al, 2011;Stevens et al, 2013;Thoits, 2011). Unfortunately, people with a brain injury report increased feelings of isolation and disconnection thereby limiting their access to this level of support (Carbonneau et al, 2011).…”

“…A person's social network is the group of people from whom a person receives social support (Thoits, 2011). Social support is assistance received that is functional in purpose and can be emotional, informational or practical in nature (Coco, Tossavainen, Jääskeläinen, & Turunen, 2011;Thoits, 2011). Emotional support is seen as the demonstration of love, care, value and encouragement.…”