Systems analysis of community and health services for acquired brain injury in Ontario, Canada

Abstract

Primary objective: To conduct a systems analysis on community and health services for individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI) in the province of Ontario, Canada.Research design: This study employed a triangulation design. This design is used when there is a need to validate quantitative results with qualitative data, as is the case in the present study.Methods and procedures: Forty-two healthcare professionals and/or healthcare administrators from organizations across the province and across the continuum of care were surveyed. A 1-day focus group was also held to validate the study findings.Main outcomes and results: The main results of this study revealed: (1) a lack of services for children/adolescents; (2) service gaps for individuals with co-existing mental health conditions; (3) a lack of services related to employment; (4) changes in casemix, in terms of more individuals with co-morbid medical and mental health conditions (with many of the organizations reporting medical instability and severe behavioural disorders as exclusion criteria); and (5) a need for more organizations to track patient outcomes for evaluation and/or accountability purposes.Conclusions: Findings from this study will lead to improvement of current services but also improved planning of future services for individuals with ABI.