Abstract
Traumatic injury shocks and destabilizes not only a patient’s functioning but also that of their social and caregiving systems. For some, it may even be experienced as a psychologically traumatic event. In this chapter, we explore the clinical issues presented by traumatic physical and brain injury as they affect the patient and caregiving system during onset (medical acuity or crisis), chronic, and terminal phases. Within each phase, we expand upon common clinical and psychosocial issues that may arise intra- and interpersonally, as well as in interactions with systems of care. Noting the high incidence of posttraumatic stress in this population, we explore how the adoption of a trauma-informed lens is vital throughout: from initial assessment to case conceptualization and to intervention delivery. We illuminate how psychological trauma plays a role from injury onset through all phases of injury and how to integrate trauma-informed care principles to re-establish a sense of self-efficacy, trust, and agency. Particular attention is given to how issues of loss and bereavement may manifest for patients and caregivers, as well as how social justice issues play a role in recovery and outcomes of traumatic injury. Clinical examples are integrated to illustrate the important role the social worker may play.
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Notes
- 1.
All names and other personal identifiers in the case are fictitious. Any similarity to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
- 2.
All names and other personal identifiers in the case are fictitious. Any similarity to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
- 3.
All names and other personal identifiers in the case are fictitious. Any similarity to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
- 4.
All names and other personal identifiers in the case are fictitious. Any similarity to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
- 5.
All names and other personal identifiers in the case are fictitious. Any similarity to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
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Wenthen, R., Landers, Z.A. (2023). Traumatic Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury. In: Hemphill, M., Nathanson, A. (eds) The Practice of Clinical Social Work in Healthcare. Essential Clinical Social Work Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-31650-0_11
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