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Ralph G. DePalma Memorial TBI Clinical Strategies
Spotlight on Evidence Synthesis Program

Interventions to Support Caregivers or Families of Patients with TBI, PTSD, or Polytrauma


by Mira Brancu, PhD ; Meg Kabat, LCSW-C, CCM ; Megan Shepherd-Banigan, PhD MPH ; John Williams, Jr., MD, MHSc
Seminar date: 12/13/2017

Description: Family members perform a significant service caring for Veterans with severe physical, mental, and cognitive impairments. Depending on the injuries and health conditions, for some families, the need for intensive family caregiving support can last for decades. Further, caregiving can have negative implications for the caregiver's physical and mental health, employment, and financial security. There is a need to better understand the impact of interventions that support caregivers or families of patients with disabling conditions common among Veterans. This evidence synthesis describes the volume of published literature evaluating the effects of family caregiving support programs for patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or polytrauma. The synthesis authors will discuss the findings to two key questions: For which patient groups that receive interventions that involve family members has the impact on care recipient outcomes been assessed and what effects do programs or strategies that involve family caregivers have on care recipient and caregiver outcomes? Meg Kabat, National Director of the Caregiver Support Program will act as discussant and be available for Q&A with audience members. Intended audience: Researchers, clinicians, and family caregivers interested in the support of caregivers or families of Patients with TBI, PTSD, or Polytrauma.



DOWNLOAD: PDF handout | Audio only (mp3) | transcript


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