Misconceptions about Severe Traumatic Brain Injuries among Health Care Professionals in a Tertiary Care Center

Abstract

Background: Traumatic Brain Injury is a neurological condition that affects millions of people every year and is a serious health concern- insufficient knowledge about traumatic brain injury held by both the general population and medical experts. Healthcare professionals who treat patients with TBI seem to have a general lack of understanding and misconceptions regarding brain injuries. Addressing and reducing TBI-related misunderstandings in clinical practices requires a grasp of basic concepts. Aim and Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the misconceptions about severe traumatic brain injury among health care professionals (physicians, nurses, and physiotherapists) in a tertiary care centre. Method: This is a cross-sectional study with a convenience sample of 120 healthcare professionals was employed. Participants in the study were ensured that healthcare professionals had sufficient exposure to TBI. The purpose of the 40-item selfreport questionnaire, the CM-TBI, was to measure respondents’ understanding of TBI, its consequences, and rehabilitation. Result: The results indicate that there is a significant difference between the groups regarding the assumption that recovery from a brain injury takes around five months (Chi-Square = 8.454, df = 2, p = 0.015). Similarly, the belief that a person who has a brain injury ‘just like new’ in several months also shows significant differences among the health care professional groups (Chi-Square = 25.860, df = 2, p = 0.000). Unexpectedly, replies from health care professionals to certain questions, such whether or not seatbelt use prevents more injuries than it causes or whether it is safer to be trapped within an accident than to be thrown clear, do not significantly differ from one another. Conclusion: Professional background may influence perceptions, emphasizing the importance of tailored educational interventions within each professional group to address potential misconceptions and enhance knowledge about severe traumatic brain injuries.