Management of traumatic brain injury (TBI): a clinical neuroscience-led pathway for the NHS.
File(s)Li 2021 - TBI pathways paper Clin Med.pdf (233.54 KB)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Following hyperacute management after traumatic brain injury (TBI), most patients receive treatment which is inadequate or inappropriate, and delayed. This results in suboptimal rehabilitation outcome and avoidable detrimental chronic effects on patients' recovery. This worsens long-term disability, and magnifies costs to the individual and society. We believe that accurate diagnosis (at the level of pathology, impairment and function) of the causes of disability is a prerequisite for appropriate care and for accessing effective rehabilitation. An expert-led, integrated care pathway is needed to deliver accurate and timely diagnosis and optimal treatment at all stages during a TBI patient's care.We propose the introduction of a specialist interdisciplinary traumatic brain injury team, led by a neurosciences-trained brain injury consultant. This team would engage acutely and for a longer term after TBI to provide accurate diagnoses, which guides subsequent management and rehabilitation. This approach would also encourage more efficient collaboration between research and the clinic. We propose that the current major trauma network is leveraged to introduce and evaluate this proposal. Improvements to patient outcomes through this approach would lead to reduced personal, societal and economic impact of TBI.
Date Issued
2021-03
Date Acceptance
2021-03-01
Citation
Clinical medicine (London, England), 2021, 21 (2), pp.e198-e205
ISSN
1470-2118
Publisher
Royal College of Physicians
Start Page
e198
End Page
e205
Journal / Book Title
Clinical medicine (London, England)
Volume
21
Issue
2
Copyright Statement
© Royal College of Physicians 2021. All rights reserved.
Sponsor
NIHR
The Academy of Medical Sciences
National Institute for Health Research
Wellcome Trust
UK DRI Ltd
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33762387
PII: 21/2/e198
Grant Number
P49257
SGL021\1056
NIHR-RP-011-048
103429/Z/13/Z
'CR & T IMP'
Subjects
neurology
neuroscience
pathway
rehabilitation
traumatic brain injury
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
England
Date Publish Online
2021-03-24