Oyesanya Submits REACH Equity Investigator Development Program Application

Kudos to Tolu Oyesanya, assistant professor, and her entire team for the submission of her REACH Equity Investigator Development Program application entitled “Reducing Disparities in the Transition from Hospital to Home for Patients with TBI & Families." This proposal requests funding for a two-year period with a start date of July 1, 2019.

Abstract: Hospitalization rates for adults (age <65) with traumatic brain injury (TBI) are higher for people from Black and Latino communities across the nation, and the consequences are disproportionately worse. Black and Latino patients with moderate-to-severe TBI discharged home from acute hospital care compared with white patients are more likely to have cognitive, physical, behavioral, and emotional impairments that affect their abilities to independently self-manage their health, wellness, and activities of daily living. Activity limitations often result in increased family involvement for managing the person’s care. The complexity of needs combined with the fragmentation of healthcare services creates the perfect storm for mismanaged symptoms, adverse health events, and a lower likelihood of return to work and school. Transitional care management for patients with acute events such as stroke and myocardial infarction leads to improved patient and family outcomes; however, TBI transitional care interventions developed to date do not incorporate family needs and are ineffective at improving functional outcomes for Black and Latino patients with TBI. The purpose of this study is to develop and refine a patient- and family-centered TBI transitional care intervention that addresses specific racial/ethnic needs and preferences of Black, Latino, and White patients with TBI and families. Because post-discharge outcome data are not routinely collected for TBI, we will also establish a feasible and acceptable process for measuring recovery and care at 2- and 8-weeks post-discharge for Black, Latino, and White patients with TBI and families. These data are critical to better understand changes in health during transitions in care. The proposed research directly aligns with the REACH Equity’s theme and will inform the design of a future implementation-effectiveness clinical trial of a patient- and family-centered TBI transitional care intervention that reduces outcome disparities.