The Role of Family in Caring for Patients with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Post-Concussion Syndrome

Abstract

This article aims to evaluate thoroughly the existing academic literature regarding the role of familial structures in the caregiving of individuals suffering from mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) who subsequently develop post-concussion syndrome (PCS), emphasizing research from the last ten years. The results underscore the pivotal functions that family caregivers fulfill in the domains of symptom surveillance, fostering a conducive environment, facilitating treatment and rehabilitation, as well as offering psychological and social support. Nonetheless, the caregiving of mTBI patients exhibiting prolonged symptoms is fraught with difficulties, encompassing a deficit in accessible medical information, inadequate coordination within the healthcare system, caregiver fatigue and stress, as well as prevailing knowledge deficits within Thai society. This review encapsulates various support strategies, including the provision of accurate information, the establishment of follow-up mechanisms post-hospital discharge, the delivery of psychosocial support, and the creation of culturally sensitive manuals or specialized programs, aimed at enhancing the efficacy of caregiving and mitigating the long-term repercussions on patients.