Growing evidence demonstrates brain injury can be a chronic, dynamic health condition with persistent health and psychosocial issues. There is expert consensus that chronic brain injury must be identified and proactively managed as a lifelong condition to improve health, independent function and societal participation. Chronic brain injury requires a comprehensive model for this proactive management encompassing health system modifications, professional education, and self-management strategies for individuals and caregivers.
This project, led by Indiana University, leverages the substantial resources of the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Model Systems and partners with experts in collaborative care, self-management, policy, and consumer advocacy to develop a chronic disease management model for TBI. “BeHEALTHY” aims to produce new knowledge to address evidence gaps in the management of brain injury as a chronic condition. The primary output will be a chronic disease management model for people with TBI, their caregivers, and health care providers. The model will be developed based on foundational knowledge (systematic literature review) and refined through feasibility testing. The project will also generate information and propose policy to allow implementation.
Funding
BeHEALTHY is a collaboration led by IU School of Medicine with 15 other Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems centers and the Tampa VA Model System. This project is federally funded in part by the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living, National Institute on Disability Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research (grant #90DPHF0006-01-00).
