Abstract
Background: Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is common and is a significant health issue globally. Thousands of New Zealanders are adversely impacted by mTBI annually and evidence is showing that an increasing number are experiencing ongoing, debilitating symptoms for extended periods. Research into mTBI is developing worldwide, however, a gap exists for New Zealand-specific research. New Zealand's health system consists of unique factors that differ from other high-income countries. Understanding the experiences of adult recovery in New Zealand will support the refinement of treatment approaches and support better patient outcomes.
Aims: This project explored the experiences of adults recovering from an mTBI in New Zealand. The facilitators and barriers impacting their recovery were evaluated, as well as their experiences of receiving mTBI treatment.
Methods: This project was part of a larger, ongoing, three-phase study improving the understanding of mTBI recovery in New Zealand. This project involved a sub-section of the data analysis utilizing qualitative data collected through phase two of the larger study. Six de-identified transcripts were provided along with summarized demographic information. The purposively selected sample included three males and three females, aged between 29 to 75 years old. A general inductive approach using Thomas's (2006) analytical framework was implemented to complete the data analysis.
Findings: Three primary inter-related themes were identified through the data analysis. These were (1) mTBI is a long, non-linear journey, (2) Looks can be deceiving, and (3) support makes all the difference. These themes highlighted the impact that mTBI had on participant's lives, the challenges that they faced, and the factors that supported their recovery.
Conclusions: mTBI had a notably detrimental impact on all participants' lives. participants anticipated a brief recovery period with a full return to pre-injury roles. Recovery was instead described as a difficult and non-linear journey that exceeded recovery time expectations. External supports in the form of family, friends, and health professionals were highlighted as vital facilitators for recovery. This project highlighted the need for clinicians to become familiar with the mTBI services available, the value of individualized education, and the importance of social support. Further research into the experiences of stigma, the impacts on family, and the experiences of mTBI from a New Zealand Māori perspective is recommended.