Provision of information to patients and relatives after traumatic brain injury : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Psychology at Massey University

Abstract

It is estimated that Traumatic Brain Injury' (TBI) affects over 9000 people in New Zealand every year. This study aimed to describe the information and resources available to patients and their families after a TBI in New Zealand. A survey was sent to a sample of General Practitioners and hospital Emergency Departments asking about what information and other resources they had available for patients. Results showed that, of those who responded, all hospitals but less than half the General Practitioners had a patient information sheet on TBI. The quality of content and appearance of the leaflets was highly variable, but generally the presentation of the hospital information sheets was better. Individuals who had recently sustained a TBI and their relatives were also given a questionnaire about the information they received while in hospital and how satisfied they felt with it. Due to small numbers of respondents, no generalisations could be made from this part of the study.