Provision of information on concussion to patients and families by videotape : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Psychology at Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major health problem in New Zealand that results in death and disability as well as a substantial number of mild injuries. Information provision is an important part of interventions that can help to prevent long­ term difficulties from developing after mild TBI. This study investigated whether information provision by videotape can be a useful part of interventions for mild TBI. The research was in the form of a pilot study in that a videotape and a brochure were produced as part of the study. The participants were clients of a concussion clinic and the people who accompanied them to the clinic and they were divided into three different groups. One group received the videotape and brochure, a second group received the brochure only and the third group received neither of these resources. Specific questions about information provision were developed to gather data for the study which formed part of a larger survey of client satisfaction. The number of responses from people who accompanied the clients was insufficient and that data was therefore omitted from the study. There were no significant differences between the three groups of clients in their satisfaction with information provision or the perceived level of help they received from information provision in understanding concussion. Clients who reported that they received an appropriate rather than an insufficient or excessive amount of information were significantly more satisfied with information provision. The results also suggested that clients who did not receive the resources may not have received enough information. The majority of clients preferred to receive information on both videotape and brochure compared to either resource on its own or other options and most clients who received the information resources referred to them more than once. The findings support the use of videotapes in information provision for clients of concussion clinics when they are used alongside written resources rather than replacing them. Limitations in the study and directions for future research are discussed.