Social Workers Can Help Patients Recover From Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries

Social workers in emergency rooms and hospitals may help patients recover from mild traumatic brain injuries. Research that was published in the April edition of Brain Injury has found that a 20-minute conversation with a social worker can potentially reduce the functional decline of someone who has been diagnosed with a mild traumatic brain injury.
At the University of Washington’s School of Social Work, Megan Moore is training social workers in emergency environments to provide resources and education to those patients to help them deal with symptoms and the recovery process of having a mild traumatic brain injury.
“Social workers are masters-level trained clinicians who are already embedded in emergency room treatment teams,” Moore said. “The goal of my work is to provide them with specialized training on mild traumatic brain injuries to help bridge the psychological and social aspects of treatment with medical care.” (Armstrong, 2014).
More than a million people across the country are treated for brain injuries each year, with only a few of them receiving the appropriate follow up care that could make a difference in whether or not they recover completely. Patients with a mild traumatic brain injury, even if they do go to the emergency room to get check out, could leave thinking that they are physically okay but then end up having problems such as depression, completing normal tasks, or even issues with memory. Moore says that is why it is so important that a social worker completes the evaluation while the patient is still in the emergency room.
“Moore’s initial study showed that an intervention lasting less than 20 minutes significantly reduced brain injury patients ’ alcohol use and prevented functional decline. (A second, randomized trial is now under way.)” (Armstrong, 2014).

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Source:
University of Washington