Service Provisions for People Experiencing Homelessness with a Traumatic Brain Injury: Clinicians’ Perspectives

Background and Objectives. Traumatic brain injury is prevalent amongst people experiencing homelessness, yet evidence suggests that neuropsychological support is insufficient for this population. Services have been urged to consider the care provisions offered in the context of homelessness and traumatic brain injury, though perspectives of service providers have not been thoroughly explored. The current study hoped to address this gap in the literature, exploring how homeless sector service providers perceive, understand, and support people experiencing homelessness with a traumatic brain injury. Methods. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten clinicians working in homeless sector services for six months or more, to collect qualitative data about their sense-making, perspectives and working practices in the context of traumatic brain injury. Results. Reflexive thematic analysis identified three themes in the data: A Broken Brain in a Broken System, Holding People When No One Wants to Help, and Making Sense of Complex Needs. Specifically, findings illuminated that care for homeless individuals with brain injury was compromised by service gaps and segmented support, which remained unchallenged in the context of prevailing stigma, hopelessness, complexity, and restricted professional competency and capacity. Conclusions. This broadens understanding around the systemic barriers and facilitators to supporting homelessness and brain injury in a UK context. Recommendations for adapting clinical practice included building and restoring collaborative care, developing training programs to embed neuropsychological assessment and intervention into everyday working practices, and encouraging greater investment from organisations and governments. Future research should explore perceptions, experiences, and expertise of a national sample of service users and providers.<p></p>

Author dc:creator

• Jasmine Florence (21045242)

• Homless
• Traumatic Brain Injury

Statement dc:rights

• All rights reserved
• Open Access after 2027-12-29

Identifier

10779/exe.32820560.v1

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:figshare.com:article/32820560