A mixed methods evaluation of the Brain Injury Family Intervention

Objective: To describe and compare caregivers' and patients' helpfulness and goal attainment ratings of the Brain Injury Family Intervention (BIFI), and qualitatively evaluate their perceptions of most important things learned. Methods: 76 caregivers and 76 patients with acquired brain injury participated in the BIFI, a structured family intervention program which includes educational, skill building, and psychological support components. Outcome measures were obtained following each of the five intervention sessions and following completion of the entire program. Results: Session helpfulness ratings for caregivers and patients were uniformly high as were ratings of the extent to which session goals were met. Between group comparisons did not indicate differences for individual session helpfulness or goal attainment ratings. Qualitative analysis of most important things learned provided corroboratory evidence that BIFI topics were relevant and consistent with program goals. Conclusions: The present investigation provides evidence that the BIFI is perceived as helpful and that treatment methods facilitate achievement of goals. The investigation also suggests that investigators may benefit from using mixed methods to evaluate outcomes, complementing traditional quantitative methods with qualitative approaches.