Team-based rehabilitation after traumatic brain injury: a qualitative synthesis of evidence of experiences of the rehabilitation process.

OBJECTIVE

To synthesize and explore experiences of the rehabilitation process for adults with traumatic brain injury receiving team-based rehabilitation.

DATA SOURCES

A qualitative evidence synthesis was conducted according to the "Enhancing transparency in reporting the synthesis of qualitative research" (ENTREQ) Guidelines, of qualitative studies published in 5 databases in 2000-21.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION

Screening, selection of relevant studies, assessment of methodological limitations, systematic qualitative content analysis and assessment of confidence with Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation- Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative research (GRADE-CERQual) were carried out by independent researchers.

DATA SYNTHESIS

The 10 included studies revealed how people with traumatic brain injury perceived that they struggled on their own for a long time to adapt their daily life. They experienced that access to team-based rehabilitation was scarce and that the interventions offered were neither individually tailored nor coordinated. A respectful attitude from professionals and individually adapted information facilitated their rehabilitation process.

CONCLUSION

This qualitative evidence synthesis indicates areas for improvement and a need to develop person-centred team-based rehabilitation for adults with traumatic brain injury, in terms of accessibility, coordination, continuity, content and participation. Given the limited opportunities for team-based rehabilitation after hospital discharge, further research is needed to understand how rehabilitation can support the adaptation of everyday life.