Met and unmet rehabilitative needs among pediatric patients with moderate to severe TBI

Objective: Estimate the probability of met and unmet post-acute rehabilitative needs among pediatric patients with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Participants: One hundred and thirty children who received acute and post-acute rehabilitative services at a hospital for children.

Methods: Prospective, observational study. Recommended service needs (1. Medical, 2. Psychological, 3. Cognitive/Educational, 4. Medically Based Therapies, 5. Community/Caregiver/Family Support) were collected at discharge and 1, 6, 12, and 18 months post-injury. Probabilities were estimated using nonlinear logistic regression models. The impact of age at discharge was also assessed.

Results: Over time, the estimated probability of need for Medical, Medically Based Therapies, and Cognitive/Educational services were consistently high. Whereas unmet need for Medical and Medically Based Therapies were low, unmet need for Cognitive/Educational services were relatively high. Need for Psychological and Community/Caregiver/Family Support services increased in the months post-discharge, as did the probability of unmet need. Older age at discharge was associated with need for Psychological and Community/Caregiver Family Support services.

Conclusions: Findings support the long-term monitoring of need for Psychological and Community/Caregiver/Family Support services among children with moderate to severe TBI. Future research to explore the etiology of unmet needs is warranted.