Article

Identification of a remote traumatic brain injury (TBI), particularly mild TBI,
is a challenge. The acknowledged standard for determining a history of prior TBI
is self-report elicited through a structured or in-depth clinical interview. In
April 2007, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) mandated that the
four-section TBI Clinical Reminder screening instrument be completed on all
individuals returning from deployment in the Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation
Enduring Freedom theaters of operation (VHA Directive 2007-013). If positive, a
follow-up Second Level TBI Evaluation is to be completed. For validation studies
of the TBI Clinical Reminder screening process and with the long-term goal of
providing a structured methodology to complete the TBI history portion of the
Second Level TBI Evaluation, we sought to develop a "criterion standard"
semistructured clinical TBI identification interview. This tool was developed
through consultation with TBI subject matter experts and built on the strengths
of existing tools in the literature. This article describes the six-step
developmental methodology and presents the resulting semistructured interview and
accompanying manual.

Langue : ANGLAIS