@article{ref1,
title="Community reintegration needs following paediatric brain injury: perspectives of caregivers and service providers",
journal="Disability and rehabilitation",
year="2021",
author="Diener, Marissa L. and Kirby, Anne V. and Sumsion, Felicia and Canary, Heather E. and Green, Michael M.",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="PURPOSE: To explore the processes of community reintegration of children and families at least one year following a paediatric brain injury from the perspective of caregivers and outpatient/community service providers. <br><br>MATERIALS AND METHODS: A qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews from outpatient or community service providers (N = 14; occupational, physical, and speech and language therapists, neuropsychologists, school counsellors, recreational providers) and caregivers of six children (N = 8) at least one year after their injury. Interviews were transcribed and thematically coded using deductive (employing Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory) and inductive approaches. <br><br>RESULTS: Themes from both providers and caregivers indicated additional supports needed at all levels of Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory (i.e., individual, microsystem, mesosystem/exosystem, macrosystem, chronosystem). Participants felt that several characteristics would be needed in an ideal service system following paediatric brain injury including: community solutions (&quot;it takes a village&quot;), long-term approaches to care, and new financial approaches. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that children and families have substantial community reintegration needs following paediatric brain injury. Multi-system interventions are needed to support long-term community reintegration, especially those that increase communication and support transitions. There is also a strong need for alternative funding to support these efforts.Implications for RehabilitationFamilies with a child with a moderate to severe brain injury face challenges with community reintegration a year or more after their child's injury.Effort should be put into helping families navigate the complex medical, insurance, and school systems with a navigator service and step-down care to ensure a continuum of care and to support community reintegration.Special support should be provided during transitions, such as transitions from hospital care to outpatient care, and across school transitions.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0963-8288",
doi="10.1080/09638288.2021.1946176",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2021.1946176"
}