Abstract
The present study examined family needs perceived by British family members who were living with traumatic brain injured patients (F-TBI) (n=18) and those who were living with stroke patients (F-STR) (n=16). Face to face interviews were conducted at their home or at an outpatient clinic. A questionnaire was developed by authors. It contained 14 items covering important elements such as information and training for the families, emotional support for the families and community services. Family members in F-TBI reported that information services were likely to be the most important compared with those in F-STR who reported that equipment and home care services were likely to be the most important. In Japan, there have been few studies exploring the needs for services and resources identified family members living with TBI patients. The preliminary results of this study have several implications for provision of services for families who are coping with TBI in Japan.
