Family-centred care for children with traumatic brain injury and/or spinal cord injury: a qualitative study of service provider perspectives during the COVID-19 pandemic

This study explores how rehabilitation services for children with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and/or spinal cord injuries (SCI) adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on the perspectives of service providers. The research highlights the challenges faced by families and the innovative approaches services used to maintain family-centered care, particularly through increased use of telehealth. Ultimately, the findings suggest ways to improve service delivery to be more family-centered, flexible, and efficient in meeting the needs of families in the future.

• 1
  Service providers recognized the increased challenges faced by families during the pandemic, including feelings of isolation and the exacerbation of injury-related difficulties.
• 2
  The study found that increased communication with families, often through telehealth, facilitated a better understanding of their needs and allowed services to be more family-centered.
• 3
  Telehealth was identified as a major change to service provision, offering both benefits (increased convenience, better attendance) and limitations (technical difficulties, suitability for all patient groups).