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Right people, right time? a qualitative study of service access experiences of adults with acquired brain injury following discharge from inpatient rehabilitation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 October 2020

Michele Foster ,
Melissa Legg ,
Eloise Hummell ,
Letitia Burridge  and
Kirsty Laurie
Michele Foster*
Affiliation:
The Hopkins Centre Research for Rehabilitation and Resilience, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University
Melissa Legg
Affiliation:
The Hopkins Centre Research for Rehabilitation and Resilience, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University
Eloise Hummell
Affiliation:
The Hopkins Centre Research for Rehabilitation and Resilience, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University
Letitia Burridge
Affiliation:
The Hopkins Centre Research for Rehabilitation and Resilience, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University
Kirsty Laurie
Affiliation:
The Hopkins Centre Research for Rehabilitation and Resilience, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University
*
*Corresponding author. Email: michele.foster@griffith.edu.au
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Abstract

Purpose:

The intention of this paper is to develop the personal concept of appropriate access. We report on the service access experiences and opportunities of adults with an acquired brain injury after leaving inpatient rehabilitation. The benefits of appropriate access underpin standards in early and long-term recovery, though users’ access needs are highly personal.

Methods:

The study used a qualitative design involving 16 semi-structured interviews with Australian adults with an acquired brain injury after discharge from inpatient brain rehabilitation. Data were thematically analysed.

Results:

Three main themes were derived from the analysis. Theme 1 shows that participants valued being steered to services that providers thought appropriate for them early after discharge from inpatient rehabilitation. Theme 2 highlights the tensions between timing and personal recovery and perceived needs. Theme 3 captures participants’ insights into the challenges of gaining access vis-a-vis what the system offers and the enablers of actualising appropriate access.

Conclusion:

The positive experiences of being directed to specialist services early after discharge suggest that continuity of care constitutes appropriateness of access for participants in this study. However, it is also clear that continuity should not displace flexibility in the timing of services, to accord with individuals’ perceived needs. This, in addition to enablement of access opportunities, through funding and transport, are important in maintaining a personalised approach.

Keywords

Brain injuriesaccess experienceappropriateness of accessrehabilitation

Information

Type
Articles
Information
Brain Impairment , Volume 22 , Issue 1 , March 2021 , pp. 92 - 107
Copyright
© Australasian Society for the Study of Brain Impairment 2020

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