It is important for a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) patient to receive ample rehabilitation as part of the recovery process. Patients who are moderately or severely injured patients are likely to receive care in an intensive care unit until they are stable enough to be transferred to a sub-acute unit or an independent rehabilitation hospital. It is at this point that many patients follow diverse paths to their recovery due to the variety of options for rehabilitation available.
Rehabilitation for TBI Patients
A consensus held in the year 1998 on the rehabilitation for people with traumatic brain injury was held. In this conference, it was discussed that every person with TBI should receive an individualized rehabilitation program based on their strengths and capabilities. This rehabilitation should further be modified to match the patient’s changing needs.
It was also suggested that patients with moderately to severe TBI should receive rehabilitation that factors in the skills of most specialists. This includes customized treatment programs in physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, social support and physiatry. This area of specialty is reserved for; psychologists, rehabilitation nurses, physical and occupational therapists, speech pathologists, social workers, psychiatrists, and administrators or team coordinators.
What is the Role of Rehabilitation?
The main purpose of rehabilitation for traumatic brain injury is to improve their functionality both at home and in the society. A therapist in this case will help the patient to adapt to the changes, switch their living spaces in order to make them conducive. This is also known as environmental modification.
In some cases, the patients may need medicine for the physical as well as the physical challenges arising from the TBI. When prescribing medicine for TBI patients, great care must be taken. This is because TBI patients are more prone to side effects and reactions from some pharmacological agents.
It is highly encouraged for family members to be actively present in the rehabilitation program as this offers the social support that the patient needs. The psychotherapy in this case may also come in handy for the family.
No comments:
Post a Comment