Kitter Bryony, Sharman Rachael
School of Social Sciences, The University of the Sunshine Coast , Queensland , Australia.
Brain Inj. 2015;29(9):1082-93. doi: 10.3109/02699052.2015.1018323. Epub 2015 May 8.
This article explores the challenges, support needs and coping strategies of caregivers of people with an acquired brain injury (ABI).
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with caregivers (n = 20) to explore their support services received, access barriers, utility of services, needed supports, coping strategies and factors promoting life satisfaction. The team recorded, transcribed verbatim and inductively analysed all interviews.
Through thematic data analysis, three central themes were revealed: (a) barriers impeding quality-of-life, (b) support needed to improve quality-of-life and (c) factors enabling quality-of-life. All perspectives from the participants involved are synthesized to provide a rich depiction of caregivers' support needs and coping strategies.
Two specific findings of interest include a negative association between severity of brain injury and caregiver's desire to direct treatment, as well as a distinct service gap in assistance for caregivers who are caring for someone with violent/offending behaviours. This study recommends short- and long-term changes, given Australia's upcoming National Disability Insurance Scheme, to increase caregiver quality-of-life, which will ultimately affect the rehabilitation outcomes of persons with ABI.
本文探讨后天性脑损伤（ABI）患者照料者面临的挑战、支持需求及应对策略。
对20名照料者进行半结构化访谈，以探究他们获得的支持服务、获取障碍、服务效用、所需支持、应对策略以及促进生活满意度的因素。研究团队对所有访谈进行录音、逐字转录并进行归纳分析。
通过主题数据分析，揭示了三个核心主题：（a）阻碍生活质量的障碍，（b）提高生活质量所需的支持，（c）实现生活质量的因素。综合参与者的所有观点，以全面描述照料者的支持需求和应对策略。
两项特别值得关注的研究结果包括：脑损伤严重程度与照料者指导治疗的意愿呈负相关，以及在照料有暴力/犯罪行为患者的照料者援助方面存在明显的服务差距。鉴于澳大利亚即将推出国家残疾保险计划，本研究建议进行短期和长期变革，以提高照料者的生活质量，这最终将影响ABI患者的康复效果。
