Citation

Toor GK, Harris JE, Escobar M, Yoshida K, Velikonja D, Rizoli S, Cusimano M, Cullen NK, Sokoloff S, Colantonio A. Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabil. 2015; 97(2 Suppl): S54-63.

Affiliation

Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto; Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto. Electronic address: angela.colantonio@utoronto.ca.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.apmr.2015.02.010

PMID

25707697

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: (1) To assess long term health care service utilization and satisfaction with health care services among women with traumatic brain injury (W-TBI), (2) to examine barriers that prevent W-TBI from receiving care when needed, and (3) to understand the perceived supports available for W-TBI. SETTING: Ontario, Canada. PARTICIPANTS: W-TBI (n=105) 5-12 years post-injury and women without TBI (n=105) matched on age, education and geographic location.

DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study MAIN MEASURES: Pre- and post-injury data were collected using a questionnaire administered via a semi-structured interview. Questions on health services utilization, satisfaction with and quality of services, barriers to receiving care, and perceived social support were from the Canadian Community Health Survey; additional questions on perceived social support were from another large-scale study of people with moderate to severe brain injury.

RESULTS: Compared to women without TBI, W-TBI reported using more family physician and community health services. W-TBI reported that they did not receive care when needed (40%), particularly for emotional/mental health problems. Significantly more W-TBI reported financial and structural barriers. There were no significant differences in reported satisfaction with services between women with and without TBI.

CONCLUSIONS: Health services providers and policy-makers should recognize the long-term health and social needs of W-TBI and address societal factors that result in financial and structural barriers in order to ensure access to needed services.

Language: en