Patient participation in team meetings - experiences of individuals with cognitive communication disorders after acquired brain injury.

Abstract

Patient participation is a key aspect of person-centered care. In rehabilitation settings, team meetings gathering the patient, rehabilitation team, and family members are an important tool to achieve patient participation. However, such meetings may represent a challenge for persons with cognitive communication disorder (CCD). This study aimed to explore the experiences of participation in team meetings among individuals with CCD. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 13 participants with CCD. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The analysis yielded four categories: Defining patient participation for oneself; Overload disrupts communication; Factors facilitating communication; and Making the journey easier - recommendations for the future. Results indicate a mismatch between participants' abilities and the complexity and cognitive load at the meeting, particularly early in the rehabilitation process. An overarching theme captured that patient participation is not present from start, but may develop as insights, skills, and adaptations evolve during the rehabilitation process. Merely attending a meeting does not ensure patient participation. To facilitate patient participation for individuals with CCD, the communication challenges must be addressed. The results offer insights about how team meetings could be arranged to meet the needs of individuals with CCD.