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Salazar AP, Lecours S, Engel L, Gignac MAM, Rotenberg S, Zarshenas S, McDonald M, Bottari C. Understanding the Early Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Brain Injury Associations Across Canada: A Qualitative Study. INQUIRY : A JOURNAL OF MEDICAL CARE ORGANIZATION, PROVISION AND FINANCING 2023; 60:469580231209161. [PMID: 37970821 PMCID: PMC10655638 DOI: 10.1177/00469580231209161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has increased challenges for people living with brain injury and community associations to support this vulnerable population. This study aimed to gain an in-depth understanding of the challenges faced by brain injury survivors during the first year of the pandemic and how community brain injury associations adapted their services to respond to these needs. Findings from seven focus-group with 31 representatives of Canadian brain injury associations revealed 4 main themes: (1) Addressing evolving client needs; (2) Keeping clients safe; (3) Challenges and opportunities navigating the digital world; and (4) Sustaining brain injury associations in the face of uncertainties and disruptions. To comply with public health measures, associations reported pivoting their service delivery online, despite recognizing the difficulties this could create for many brain injury survivors in accessing and using technology. Our findings also highlight concrete directions for not-profit organizations providing instrumental help with activities, acting as a liaison and interpreter of public health guidelines, and in connecting with clients using technology while handling potential cognitive and technological challenges. Addressing these issues has the potential to protect people living with brain injury and community associations from external threats, like pandemics, in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Paula Salazar
- School of Rehabilitation, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation of Greater Montreal, Institut universitaire sur la réadaptation en déficience physique de Montréal du CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Sophie Lecours
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation of Greater Montreal, Institut universitaire sur la réadaptation en déficience physique de Montréal du CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Lisa Engel
- Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Institute for Work & Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Monique A. M. Gignac
- Institute for Work & Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Shlomit Rotenberg
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sareh Zarshenas
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Carolina Bottari
- School of Rehabilitation, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation of Greater Montreal, Institut universitaire sur la réadaptation en déficience physique de Montréal du CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
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