Brain injury identification cards: Current owner impressions and preliminary acceptability of a novel technology to improve safety, communication, and advocacy after injury.

Abstract

Purpose/objective: Brain injuries often have lifelong consequences that include long-term impairments and disability. Policy-, community-, and society-level interventions are a critical path to survivor impact. A recent qualitative study highlighted the potential of a new tool, Brain Injury Identification Cards, for enhancing survivor safety, self-advocacy, and well-being. The primary purpose of our study was to conduct a quantitative assessment of perceived benefits and self-reported credibility, expectancy, and acceptability to inform future trials.

Research method/design: In this cross-sectional study, we assessed the impressions of current owners (N = 99) of Brain Injury Identification Cards. We administered online self-report questionnaires and characterized perceived experiences, acceptability, and utility using descriptive statistics.

Results: Most (>67%) had favorable impressions about their own use of the Brain Injury Identification Cards, although approximately 19% perceived the cards as stigmatizing or embarrassing, and 22% said the cards were not helpful for their stress and anxiety surrounding traumatic brain injury symptoms. Overall, participants rated treatment credibility and expectancy as high, and all respondents who completed survey items (n = 96) indicated that they would recommend cards to others with traumatic brain injury and other medical conditions.

Conclusions/implications: Our findings highlight the perceived benefits of using a Brain Injury Identification Card among established Card owners. Future studies in representative samples of survivors assessing user experiences before and after the receipt of Brain Injury Identification Cards are needed to assess potential intervention effects. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).