A Post-Discharge Service for Brain Injury Patients in Hong Kong

Objective:To establish an affordable and easily accessible post-discharge telephone follow-up service for people with brain injuries and their caregivers,and thus to provide an evidence base for developing cost-effective continuous care,region-wide.Method:Thirty-five adult patients with brain injuries and 26 caregivers were recruited from Neurosurgical Unit at Queen Mary Hospital in this study.Participants were administered a structured telephone interview at the fourth week post-discharge,and again at the twelfth week post-discharge.Patients and caregivers at risk of poor adjustment were referred for further medical consultation or psychological intervention.Patients' physical and cognitive functioning were investigated while both patients and caregivers' emotional functioning and perceived social support were explored.Satisfaction of the current service provided was also examined.Result:Majority of patients reported significant improvement in physical condition.A sizable number of patients experienced cognitive difficulties and reported insufficient psychosocial support received following discharge from hospital.Majority of caregivers reported compromising health,emotional and social functioning in caregiving.Both patients and caregivers reported satisfaction with the service with caregivers reported higher satisfaction.Conclusion:Findings from current study showed that both patients of brain injuries and caregivers benefited from the post-discharge telephone follow-up service.Both of them agreed that such service helped to identify people at risk of poor adjustment,provide timely advice and emotional support.Our findings also indicated that caregiving significantly impairs caregivers' physical,emotional,and social functioning,suggesting a need to offer them advice on care skills,role or living adjustments,and stress management.