Can traumatic brain injury surveillance systems be used to link individuals with TBI to services?

Abstract

Primary objective: This study was conducted to determine the feasibility of using Colorado Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Surveillance System data to link individuals to information and services in their communities.

Methods and procedures: Using a qualitative exploratory approach, the investigators conducted focus groups of individuals with TBI and family members (n = 29) and individual interviews with state agency, medical and community services representatives (n = 15).

Main outcomes: The results showed that the participants saw many current problems with linking persons to services and with accessing care. The participants supported using TBI surveillance data to link persons to information and services, offered suggestions, discussed confidentiality and consent issues, described possible cultural competence issues and addressed cost feasibility.

Conclusions: Overall persons with TBI and their family members overwhelmingly supported using the Colorado TBI Surveillance System to link persons to services. One major concern, however, was how to link persons who were not included in the surveillance data because their TBI happened before the surveillance system was implemented or because their injury did not result in hospitalization. This concern is addressed in a Linkage Model.