According
to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2012), individuals in
the 1 through 44 year age group are prone to injuries, homicide, and suicide.
The consequences of injuries, in particular, can lead to: financial, emotional,
and physical problems, which can have a lasting effect on the individual who is
injured, their surrounding family, and society too (CDC, 2012). This essay will
explore the topic of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), which has contributed to
substantial number of cases of permanent disability and death.
Traumatic
Brain Injuries can be either classifies as an isolated injury or can occur along
with other injuries; and annually, approximately 1.7 million individuals are
afflicted with a TBI injury, according to the CDC (2013). When there is a
disruption in normal brain functioning, which can occur due to a penetrating
head injury or a jolt, bump, or blow to the head – a TBI can occur (CDC, 2013).
A TBI can be mild or severe with the majority of the TBI’s being documented as
mild injuries (CDC, 2013). A mild TBI usually results in a change in
consciousness or mental status, which is only present for a brief period of time
(CDC, 2013). This is in comparison to a severe TBI, which can affect an
individual with an extended period of amnesia or unconsciousness, following a
head injury (CDC, 2013). The CDC recognizes TBI’s as an important public health
concern, and is developing programs, and performing research to better respond,
recognize, and recover from a TBI injury, when such an injury occurs (CDC,
2013).
The
research study I propose would seek to answer the question: Could engaging
communities in traumatic brain injury prevention classes be beneficial in the
prevention of TBI injuries? The study would be aimed at attaining an
understanding of the readiness of local communities to embrace a prevention
program related to TBI. An assessment would also be made of the state-wide
surveillance monitoring of outcomes, in efforts already in place, to prevent
TBI.
A
quasi-experimental design would be utilized for the evaluation of
community-initiated TBI programs already in place. The model utilized would be
the Community Readiness model – which would evaluate the community-initiated
programs on TBI prevention effects before and after the initiation of the
prevention programs. A total of five communities in California would be chosen –
based upon the composition of the population, and rates of TBI. In each county,
key informants would be interviewed – for the determination of each community’s
stage of readiness for engagement in a prevention program. These interviews
would be repeated in two years. The hope is that all communities would be ready
to engage in TBI prevention activities.
The
conclusion envisioned is that the Community readiness model would be effective
in identifying communities that the Community Readiness model would be an
effective tool – in the determination of what communities are ready for a TBI
program. Also predicted change is hoped for – in communities that do undertake
this program, as well as in communities where no new programs may be initiated.
To monitor the outcomes of community interventions – detailed local TBI data
would be required.
Community
trials, in general, are said to be inferior to clinical trial in regards to the
ability to control the entrance into the study, intervention delivery, and
outcome monitoring (Friis & Sellers, 2009). It is also easier with clinical
trials to randomize subjects – ensuring that the study groups are comparable in
regards to variables, both unmeasured and measured (Friis & Sellers, 2009).
This is not so often the case with community trials because there are fewer
communities or subjects that are capable of being randomized (Friis &
Sellers, 2009). On the other hand, community trials are needed to determine
possible benefits of new programs and policies. It is important to remember that
a community can represent a school district, state, country or other
unit.
In
conclusion, TBI is a public health concern that is currently being addressed
through new TBI programs and continued research. One research article, Community
Readiness and Prevention of Traumatic Brain Injury (Stallones et al, 2008), was
one resource utilized in the creation of this research proposal. Community
health education on TBIs should be public health priority in order to ensure
swift diagnosis, treatment, and the best outcome possible, when this type of
injury occurs.
References:
Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention. (2012). Disability and Health.
Retrieved fromhttp://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/relatedconditions.html
Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Traumatic Brain Injury.
Retrieved fromhttp://www.cdc.gov/TraumaticBrainInjury/index.html
Friis,
R. H., Sellers, T.A. Epidemiology for public health practice.
(4^th ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.
Stallones,
L., Gibbs-Long, J., Gabella, B, Kakefuda, I. (2008). Community readiness and
prevention of traumatic brain injury.Retrieved fromhttp://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy1.apus.edu/ehost/detail?vid=4&sid=cc4904ff-ff50-4aaa-bad2-c051848af086%40sessionmgr111&hid=117&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=rzh&AN=2009966314