The Rehabilitation of People with Traumatic Brain Injury.The Rehabilitation of People with Traumatic Brain Injury Traumatic brain injury (TBI), traumatic injuries to the brain, also called intracranial injury, or simply head injury, occurs when a sudden trauma causes brain damage. TBI can result from a closed head injury or a penetrating head injury and is one of two subsets of acquired brain B. H. Woo and S. Nesathurai Editors Boston Medical Center Boston, MA 2000, 127 pp. This monograph is "intended to be used as a portable reference for physiatrists and other professionals interested in the treatment of patients who have sustained a traumatic brain injury [TBI TBI 1. Thyroxine-binding index 2. Total body irradiation ]" (p. 5). It provides an overview of the recovery process from coma to community re-entry along a continuum of treatment settings. The authors all acknowledge the critical importance of a team approach to TBI treatment and rehabilitation. The book is remarkable for its concise, yet thorough approach to a difficult subject. Although laden with medical terminology, it is not beyond understanding by trained rehabilitationists. Subjects covered include epidemiology, pathology, and surgical management of TBI; initial PM&R medical consultation; cognitive rehabilitation; neuropsychological interventions; neuropharmacology neuropharmacology /neu·ro·phar·ma·col·o·gy/ (-fahr?mah-kol´ah-je) the scientific study of the effects of drugs on the nervous system. neu·ro·phar·ma·col·o·gy n. ; seizures control, upper motor neuron upper motor neuron n. A motor neuron whose cell body is located in the motor area of the cerebral cortex and whose processes connect with motor nuclei in the brainstem or the anterior horn of the spinal cord. syndrome, spasticity, heterotropic ossificans, and contracture management; olfactory and vision impairments; community reintegration reintegration /re·in·te·gra·tion/ (-in-te-gra´shun) 1. biological integration after a state of disruption. 2. restoration of harmonious mental function after disintegration of the personality in mental illness. ; mild TBI; and pediatric pediatric /pe·di·at·ric/ (pe?de-at´rik) pertaining to the health of children. pe·di·at·ric adj. Of or relating to pediatrics. TBI. The chapters are brief but provide a tremendous amount of information, and the chapter structure is typically very direct. For example, the chapter on the initial rehabilitation medicine consultation includes a statement of the purpose of the chapter, elements of a consultation, comorbid conditions, pressure ulcers, contractures, upper motor neuron syndrome and spasticity, DVT prophylaxis, pulmonary issues, neuroendocrine complications, pain, bowel management, autonomic dysfunction, nutrition, cognition, prognosis, disposition and discharge planning, long-term issues, and ends with a checklist of important report elements. Each of these subjects typically gets one or two paragraphs of coverage. Special features include a number of informative tables, concise and consistent language style of each chapter, highly qualified writers on each subject (15 in all), and warnings about potentially adverse treatments. The targeted audience for this book is obviously physiatrists, but allied medical and rehabilitation professionals will also find it of value when serving individuals with TBI. The editors are Buck H. Woo, Ph.D., and Shanker Nesathurai, M.D. Dr. Woo is an Assistant Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine at Boston University School of Medicine Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) is one of the graduate schools of Boston University. It is an American medical school located in the South End neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. , and a neuropsychologist Neuropsychologist A clinical psychologist who specializes in assessing psychological status caused by a brain disorder. Mentioned in: Post-Concussion Syndrome at the Neurological and Cognitive Rehabilitation Programs at Boston Medical Center Boston Medical Center (BMC) is a non-profit 581-bed medical center in Boston, Massachusetts. It was created by the formal merger of Boston City Hospital (BCH) and Boston University Medical Center Hospital (BUMCH). . Dr. Nesathurai is Chairman and Assistant Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine at Boston University School of Medicine, and Chief of Rehabilitation Services at Boston Medical Center. The Rehabilitation of People with Traumatic Brain Injury is a concise reiteration of the medical aspects of TBI. This reviewer's only criticism is the lack of inclusion of the integral role of the rehabilitation counselor and the rehabilitation nurse in re-entry and adjustment to TBI issues. Joseph E. Havranek, Ed.D., CRC Associate Professor of Rehabilitation Counseling Bowling Green State University |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion