Article

In an attempt to increase understanding regarding the nonacute healthcare needs
of veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI), we examined the outpatient
utilization and cost patterns of
72 patients with TBI who were at least 4 years
postinjury. We selected participants from a clinical database of veterans
receiving care at a western Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical center.
We extracted data from national utilization databases maintained by the VA and
examined data from primary care and internal medicine, psychiatry and substance
use, rehabilitation, and other services (e.g., ancillary, diagnostic, prosthetic,
dental, nursing home, and home care). We extracted data for fiscal years 2002 to
2007. In addition to descriptive statistics, we modeled visits per year as a
function of time since injury. The data show that this sample of patients with
TBI consistently used a wide array of outpatient services over time with
considerable variation in cost. Further study regarding economic aspects of care
for patients with TBI is warranted.

Langue : ANGLAIS