Families' Needs of Patients With Acquired Brain Injury: Acute Phase and Rehabilitation

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to identify and compare the needs of families of patients with acquired brain injury (ABI) in acute care and rehabilitation settings. DESIGN: A descriptive exploratory study was conducted. METHODS: Data were collected in the acute care setting and in the rehabilitation setting during meetings with families (n = 54) of patients with ABI using the Family Needs Questionnaire. FINDINGS: In both settings, families identified obtaining information about ABI or the patients' health as the most important need, followed by support from health professionals. CONCLUSION: For families, accessing information about the disease situation was important regardless of patients being in the acute care or rehabilitation phase. To provide tailored care for these families, it is important to assess information needs systematically already in the acute phase of hospitalization. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A paradigm shift is desirable to include families in care, identify their needs, and support them in a more tailored way.