Service access networks at 3- and 6-months after discharge from brain injury rehabilitation: an ego-network analysis.

Purpose: To map the 3- and 6-month post-acute rehabilitation and healthcare networks from the perspective of people with Acquired Brain Injury and examine how these relate to funding provision and participation in a specialist transitional rehabilitation service.

Materials and methods: Fifteen adults with an Acquired Brain Injury (mean age 43; range 20-63) participated in semi-structured telephone interviews at 3- and 6-month post-discharge from inpatient rehabilitation with a total of 29 interviews conducted. The interview guide was based on a social network framework and data were obtained regarding the composition, size, density, and stability of networks.

Results: Results indicated that participants' networks ranged from 3-10 health professionals. Five typologies were apparent including cohesive, cluster, core, star, and kite network. Participants' networks generally decreased in size and density at 6-month post-discharge. The networks of participants were varied, and differences in network measures were observed when comparing those who were funded by National Injury Insurance Scheme-Queensland and National Disability Insurance Scheme and those that did or did not attend Transitional Rehabilitation Service.

Conclusions: The study highlighted the diversity of individuals' personal networks when assessing their composition and structural characteristics. Through the study, a deeper understanding of the networks and individuals' experiences of service provision under the existing funding and program frameworks was developed.