Crafting a case-finder of TBI for patients and staff in CDT - v1

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  A proof of concept study: To design and evaluate a web-based application for detecting self or proxy reports of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) exposure over a lifetime through formative usability testing of patients and staff in community drug treatment

• IRAS ID

  126558

• Contact name

  Stuart Gore

• Contact email

  stuart.gore@nhs.net

• Sponsor organisation

  University of Leeds

• Research summary

  To design and evaluate the usability of a prototype Head Injury Test (HIT) app with community drug treatment (CDT) patients and staff

  Trauma to the head or neck can cause Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). It is common in people who are being treated for substance use problems. This group often go unrecognised as routine screening typically does not occur in CDT. Neurological impairments associated with TBI include problems with concentrating, memory, social judgements and depression. Those who have combined TBI and substance use problems can benefit from getting access to specialist brain injuries rehabilitation treatment.

  The aim of this study is to develop a case finder for detecting TBI which is:

  • brief
  • non-invasive
  • self completing and mitigate the need for a trained professional
  • accessible to a range of different service providers
  • portable and can be used in the community
  • not dependent on reading ability

  Two expert reference groups (ERG) will be invited to take part in the iterative design and evaluation process; one ERG comprising of service user representatives and the other clinical staff. Two groups of participants will be systematically recruited to evaluate the usability of the prototype HIT app. Patients in CDT who have been identified as having depressive symptoms and exposure to TBI and clinical members of staff who will have contact with patients who have been exposed to TBI. Both groups will test the HIT app in a controlled test facility located within a CDT setting. Participants will be encouraged to think aloud when evaluating the prototype to identify problems, leading to new ideas for redesign. The HIT app will be based on principles of human centred design and evaluation to enhance adoption of the technology by service user groups and health practitioners. The study will run for 12 months.

• REC name

  Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds West Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  14/YH/0139

• Date of REC Opinion

  17 Jun 2014

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion