HOURS AND COSTS OF FORMAL AND INFORMAL CARE FOLLOWING TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY AND SPINAL CORD INJURY SUSTAINED THROUGH MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

J Rehabil Med, 2023 · DOI: 10.2340/jrm.v55.5368 · Published: February 26, 2023

Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Brain Injury

Simple Explanation

This study explored the weekly utilization and annual costs of formal (paid support) and informal care (unpaid support) for 81 individuals with traumatic brain injury and 30 with spinal cord injury, sustained in motor vehicle accidents in Australia. Utilization of care differed across and within groups; however, the results showed significantly higher costs for spinal cord injury than for traumatic brain injury. Overall, these results demonstrate the significant role that informal care has following traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury. This study highlights the overall importance and value of informal care being recognized more in policy and planning processes.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

81 people with traumatic brain injury and 30 people with spinal cord injury

Evidence Level

Cross-sectional, quantitative design

Key Findings

1
Spinal cord injury (tetraplegia/ paraplegia) was significantly more expensive for both formal and informal care compared with traumatic brain injury.
2
The costs of formal care were significantly greater for those in the traumatic brain injury group who had a more severe injury (post-traumatic amnesia > 90 days) compared with the other traumatic brain injury groups
3
The costs of informal care were significantly higher for both traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury compared with the costs of formal care.

Research Summary

The aim of the current study was to use empirical data to explore and breakdown the utilization and cost components of formal and informal care provided to individuals following TBI and SCI sustained through MVAs in NSW, Australia. The results support all 3 study hypotheses. Firstly, the overall hours of care (and annual cost) of formal and informal care were significantly greater for those who had sustained a SCI compared with those with a TBI. The current study has made an original contribution to understanding the hours utilized of formal and informal care following TBI and SCI sustained through a MVA, as well as the significant costs associated with care following these types of injuries.

Practical Implications

Policy and Planning

Informal care needs to be more explicitly acknowledged in policy and planning processes.

Support for Caregivers

Increased and strengthened long-term support for individuals with TBI/SCI and their families is crucial.

Economic Value of Informal Care

Recognition of informal care is imperative in social policy to ensure the sustainability of disability systems.

Study Limitations

1
Relatively small sample size.
2
Service utilization details were collected using participant (and carer) recall, some under- or over-estimation may have occurred.
3
The most disabled group of people with SCI (ventilator-dependant quadriplegic subjects) were not included in the current study.

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Spinal Cord Injury