Improved active participation among patients with severe acquired brain injury in early rehabilitation: Implementation of a professional competence development intervention

BACKGROUND: In 2019, an educational programme was implemented in a sub-acute in-hospital neurorehabilitation clinic for patients with severe acquired brain injury (sABI). The programme was initiated to enhance staff competencies related to identifying and improving active participation among patients with sABI. OBJECTIVE: The purpose was to evaluate the implementation effectiveness of the educational programme. METHODS: Mixed methods were chosen to assess implementation effectiveness as perceived by staff and patients. RESULTS: A survey of the professional's experience showed an increase in perceived competence after each completed seminar and from before the first seminar to after the last completed seminar. These results were confirmed and elaborated through staff focus group interviews. The proportion of patients achieving active participation increased from 45% before to 75% after implementation (six of eight patients). CONCLUSION: Exploring the implementation effectiveness of the educational programme seemed clinically valuable and showed a promising and probable effect of an implementation process.