Abstract
The Marcus Institute for Brain Health (MIBH) provides interdisciplinary care for adults
struggling with persistent effects of mild traumatic brain injury and accompanying
changes in behavioral health, with specific emphases on Veterans and retired elite
athletes. The cognitive, physical, and behavioral symptoms associated with mild traumatic
brain injury are interrelated, with neurobiopsychosocial modeling encompassing the
factors related to recovery from a traumatic brain injury. The diffuse impacts of
chronic concussive injuries require multiple clinical providers to address the breadth
of symptoms, facilitating both interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary care models.
By implementing integrated practice units, patients receive advanced medical care,
imaging, speech-language pathology, physical therapy, behavioral health, neuropsychology,
and clinical pharmacy for a cohesive diagnostic and intervention plan. Nationally,
speech-language pathologists report challenges with best-practice options for concussion,
particularly in the domain of assessment practices. At the MIBH, speech-language pathologists
begin their assessment with a structured clinical interview that focuses on patients'
needs and concerns. Evaluation modalities focus on hearing, communication, and functional
cognition to guide therapeutic treatment planning. The intensive outpatient care program
at MIBH incorporates both individual sessions targeting patient-centered goals and
group care, where speech-language pathologists work transdisciplinarily to generalize
care from all disciplines out into the community. Care practices for concussive injuries
continue to evolve rapidly; speech-language pathology at the MIBH offers one such
vision for excellence in clinical care.
Keywords
speech pathology - speech therapy - concussion - mild traumatic brain injury - interdisciplinary
