IMPACT OF CHILDHOOD BRAIN INJURY ON WORK AND FAMILY FINANCES

Parents of children who suffer brain injuries are often surprised by t he extent to which work and family finances are disrupted In this pape r, work and financial problems are described, predictors are identifie d, and ways to minimize problems are discussed. Eighty-two children tr eated at two Massachusetts trauma centres were given an extensive batt ery of medical, functional and psychosocial tests during hospitalizati on. At 1 and 6 months post-discharge they were retested and their pare nts were surveyed about work and financial difficulties. Trouble maint aining regular work schedules and injury-related financial problems we re common. At highest risk for work and financial problems were famili es of children with severe injuries who had four to nine impairments, along with children hospitalized >2 weeks who were not discharged to h ome. Surprisingly, families with HMO coverage reported significantly f ewer financial problems, and this relationshp was not due to differenc es in socioeconomic status or injury severity. Health-care providers n eed to pay more attention to the potential impact of injury on work an d family finances. Providers can help at-risk families muster child-ca re services, deal effectively with employers and insurance companies, and plan for the future.