Research Question #2
Were cognitive and other assessments (e.g., neuropsychological) performed to evaluate the traumatic brain injury? Seventy-three percent of the participants (22 of 30) reported that they were assessed psychologically after TBI. Survivors undertook testing for various reasons. Seventy-seven percent (23 of 30) individuals were referred or self-referred for psychological testing. See Table 3.
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Table 3.
The Reasons Survivors Had Psychological Testing After TBI
(n=23)
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| Impetus | Percentage | |
|---|---|---|
| Doctor or Other Medical Authority Recommendation | 40% |
|
| Workman's Compensation Requirement | 13% |
|
| Friend or Family Member Recommendation | 13% |
|
| On Survivor's Own Initiative | 13% |
|
| For Lawsuit | 10% |
|
| School Requirement or Recommendation | 7% |
|
| Governmental Requirement | 3% |
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Forty-seven percent (14) remembered being specifically advised to get a neuropsychological evaluation. Forty-three percent (13) were not so advised. Three percent (1) did not respond. Seven percent (2) did not know what the term “neuropsychological evaluation” meant. Adding together the unadvised 43% and the unknowing 7%, this means that 50% of the survivors were not informed as to how vital a neuropsychological evaluation is following TBI. It can also be inferred that 50% did not get a neuropsychological evaluation. It can be argued that other psychological testing received was neuropsychological in nature and that this finding is merely a matter of semantics.
However, the results do confirm that a large percentage of TBI survivors are unaware that neurological testing by a neuropsychologist is the preferred evaluation methodology for individuals who have sustained TBI. This group has not been correctly advised as to the appropriate specialist to help them diagnose any brain defects they may have.
By contrast, all 13 (47%) who were advised to get a neuropsychological evaluation did proceed with one.