Title : Setting up Traumatic Brain Injury( TBI) clinic
Abstract:
A clinic was set up to provide advice to mild TBI patients discharged to community there was a rehab physician and he had access to psychologist. The importance of clinical psychology is to support to assess and address both the neuropsychological and psychological consequences of major trauma injuries at both acute and non-acute stages of a patient’s recovery is considered a requirement of provision.
Referrals were generated via two routes;
Route 1- MT patients seen by Clinical Psychology during their inpatient admission who require follow up input or patients referred whilst inpatients but not seen prior to discharge home. These patients were sent an opt in letter four weeks post discharge offering them the opportunity to opt in for further psychology input if they feel this is still required. Opting in patients will call Psychology Admin to request to be put on the waiting list.
Route 2- Consultants in the trust who are following up Major Trauma patients, were able to refer to this clinic. Psychological Screening measures will be provided to appropriate consultants for use in their clinics, to support referrals through to psychology.
20 referrals were received with mild traumatic brain injury who needed psychology support. Majority were males 17, and most common diagnosis on scan was acute subdural haematoma. All attended the telephone clinic, only 1 was uncontactable. 9 people returned successfully to driving, and 5 returned to work. The average age of patients was 47 years. Most patients 15/20 were managed conservatively by neurosurgeons. This shows how a successful collaboration works in patients with brain injury already discharged in community.
