Family‐Inclusive Practice After Acquired Brain Injury: Clinician Perspectives

ABSTRACT The impact of acquired brain injury (ABI) on families is well documented, and there are long‐standing calls for a family focus in treatment. The purpose of this enquiry was to explore clinicians' perspectives on family‐inclusive practices in ABI care. We conducted a semi‐structured focus group with six clinicians working in ABI care within and across acute, rehabilitation and community settings in Melbourne, Australia. Focus group data were subject to qualitative content analysis using a deductive, predetermined coding system. We identified six themes that characterised clinicians' practice with individuals and their families post‐ABI. Themes summarise the complexity of providing care that acknowledges not only the individual's needs but also the familial and relational context that should inform recovery and rehabilitation post‐ABI. Clinicians reported on the importance of responding to the impact of ABI on the whole family, particularly the effects of trauma, and the benefits of maintaining hope and actively resourcing effective family programs and social support systems. Increasing the workforce capacity for family engagement, including training and other related activities, such as organisational and implementation support, would promote these aims.