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Research Article  |   September 2009
Reengagement in Meaningful Occupations During the Transition From Hospital to Home for People With Acquired Brain Injury and Their Family Caregivers
Benjamin Turner; Tamara Ownsworth; Petrea Cornwell; Jennifer Fleming
Author Affiliations
  • Benjamin Turner, OT, is Doctoral Candidate, Division of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Therapies Building (84a), University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072 Australia; b.turner2@uq.edu.au
  • Tamara Ownsworth, PhD, is Senior Research Fellow, School of Psychology, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Queensland, Australia
  • Petrea Cornwell, PhD, is Conjoint Research Fellow, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Queensland; and Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, Queensland 4102 Australia
  • Jennifer Fleming, PhD, is Senior Conjoint Research Fellow, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Queensland; and Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, Queensland 4102 Australia
Article Information
Neurologic Conditions / Traumatic Brain Injury / Descriptive and Exploratory Studies
Research Article   |   September 2009
Reengagement in Meaningful Occupations During the Transition From Hospital to Home for People With Acquired Brain Injury and Their Family Caregivers
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, September/October 2009, Vol. 63, 609-620. doi:10.5014/ajot.63.5.609
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, September/October 2009, Vol. 63, 609-620. doi:10.5014/ajot.63.5.609
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Abstract

OBJECTIVE. To explore people's lived experiences of reengagement in meaningful occupations during the hospital-to-home transition phase after acquired brain injury (ABI).

METHOD. Participants included 20 people with ABI and 18 family caregivers. On the basis of a phenomenological approach, data collection entailed in-depth semistructured interviews at predischarge and 1 and 3 months postdischarge. Thematic analysis of interview transcripts involved open, axial, and selective coding techniques.

RESULTS. Two primary themes emerged from the analysis: desired versus actual participation and struggle for independence. Theme 1 depicts the key occupations of importance to people and their caregivers during transition and explores desired and actual participation in occupations. Theme 2 highlights the struggle to regain independence and the differing perspectives of the 2 participant groups concerning this process.

CONCLUSION. Clinical practice implications relate to client-centered goal setting, contexts and environments in which therapy occurs, and provision of information to patients and families.