Evaluation of a Traumatic Brain Injury
February 4th, 2011
Typically, the brain injured victim will experience a period of healing and recovery over the initial 6-24 months post accident. Once the injury has stabilized, it is often beneficial to undergo an evaluation to determine the nature and extent of any long term cognitive, psychological and other impairments that resulted from the brain injury. In a typical case, this evaluation may involve an initial neuropsychological evaluation by a neuropsychologist with experience in diagnosing disorders resulting from TBI. Depending on the outcome of the neuropsychological evaluation, further objective and clinical correlation may be required including administration of a PET or SPECT scan, evaluation by a neurologist specializing in traumatic brain injury, evaluation by a neuro-ophthalmologist, physiatrist and others specialized medical experts.
TBI: Life After Diagnosis
The Center For Disease Control estimates that 5.3 million Americans currently have long-term, lifelong disability as a result of TBI. The first and most critical step in successful treatment of a traumatic brain injury is an accurate diagnosis. From this point forward, the course of treatment will vary from patient to patient depending on the nature and extent of the specific injury.
In addition to ensuring appropriate diagnosis and evaluation of traumatic brain injury, a brain injury victim should be concerned about a full and complete evaluation of the future medical and rehabilitation needs of the particular brain injury patient. This includes at a minimum a vocational rehabilitation assessment, a life care plan by a certified life care planner or other equivalent expert including involvement of a physiatrist or medical doctor specializing in coordinating care plans for persons with disabilities.
Typically, the brain injured victim will experience a period of healing and recovery over the initial 6-24 months post accident. Once the injury has stabilized, it is often beneficial to undergo an evaluation to determine the nature and extent of any long term cognitive, psychological and other impairments that resulted from the brain injury. In a typical case, this evaluation may involve an initial neuropsychological evaluation by a neuropsychologist with experience in diagnosing disorders resulting from TBI. Depending on the outcome of the neuropsychological evaluation, further objective and clinical correlation may be required including administration of a PET or SPECT scan, evaluation by a neurologist specializing in traumatic brain injury, evaluation by a neuro-ophthalmologist, physiatrist and others specialized medical experts.
TBI: Life After Diagnosis
The Center For Disease Control estimates that 5.3 million Americans currently have long-term, lifelong disability as a result of TBI. The first and most critical step in successful treatment of a traumatic brain injury is an accurate diagnosis. From this point forward, the course of treatment will vary from patient to patient depending on the nature and extent of the specific injury.
In addition to ensuring appropriate diagnosis and evaluation of traumatic brain injury, a brain injury victim should be concerned about a full and complete evaluation of the future medical and rehabilitation needs of the particular brain injury patient. This includes at a minimum a vocational rehabilitation assessment, a life care plan by a certified life care planner or other equivalent expert including involvement of a physiatrist or medical doctor specializing in coordinating care plans for persons with disabilities.
