EDUCATION FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS OF THE BRAIN INJURED

每一次脑损伤事件都是突然且出乎意料的，脑损伤者的家人往往对他们面临的生活的巨大变化毫无准备。研究人员一致认为，有过脑损伤护理经验的家庭是提供情感支持和实践知识的优秀榜样。在第一阶段，IDI 制作了一个声控多媒体原型，使护理人员可以与经验丰富的同行直接对话。它表明这种多媒体模式对于该群体来说是一种可行的沟通方式，并且家庭护理人员不仅接受这种方式而且对此充满热情。在第二阶段，IDI 将开发一系列新的案例研究，提供第一阶段测试参与者推荐的扩展内容，并将确定这些计划对最近经历过脑损伤的家庭的影响。新的访谈旨在使任何家庭成员，无论种族、性别、年龄、家庭角色或经济状况如何，都能通过与经验丰富的同龄人的虚拟对话获得见解和知识。将进行严格的对照研究，以衡量这些虚拟对话/TM 计划对实践知识、情感支持和家庭成员之间沟通的影响。拟议的商业应用：交互式访谈库将分发给全国各地的急症护理医院、康复医院和康复单位、医生、HMO 和保险公司。分销渠道将包括倡导协会和组织。促销活动包括广告、会议、直邮和直销。

Every event of brain injury is sudden and unexpected, and families of the brain injured are often unprepared for the drastic life changes they face. Researchers agree that families who have had experience with brain injury caregiving are excellent role models who provide emotional support and practical knowledge. In Phase I, IDI produced a voice-activated multimedia prototype that allows caregivers to directly dialogue with experienced peers. It demonstrated that this multimedia model is a feasible method of communication for this group, and that family caregivers not only accept this approach but are enthusiastic about it. In Phase II, IDI will develop a series of new case studies, providing expanded content recommended by Phase I test participants, and will determine the impact of these programs on families who have only recently experienced a brain injury. The new interviews will be designed to enable any family member, regardless of race, gender, age, family role, or economic status, to gain insights and knowledge through virtual dialogues with experienced peers. A rigorous controlled study will be conducted to measure the effect of these Virtual Conversations/TM program on practical knowledge, emotional support, and the communication between family members. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS: The library of interactive interviews will be distribute to acute care hospitals, rehabilitation hospitals and rehabilitation units, physicians, HMOs, and insurance companies throughout the country. Distribution ch channels will include advocacy associations and organizations. Promotional activities will include advertising, conferences, direct mailings and direct sales.