Culture & Diversity in TBI Task Force

Patricia Garcia, PsyD & Devan Parrott, PhD

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MISSION

To develop projects and products that further advance scientific knowledge about the impact of traumatic brain injury on ethnic/minority populations. Our task force strives to expand education and understanding of how diverse ethnic populations may be differentially affected during acute and post-acute phases of recovery, including barriers for successful rehabilitation across domains of cognition, psychological/psychiatric, and social/community. The task force also looks to support inter-disciplinary collaborations to help mitigate healthcare disparities when accessing clinical services to improve rehabilitation outcomes, including achieving increased participation of these patients in TBI research for refined management of challenges.

PURPOSE

To advance scientific knowledge pertaining to the impact of traumatic brain injury on ethnic/minority populations

Focused strategies and efforts:

1. Expand education and understanding of how diverse ethnic populations are differentially affected during acute and post-acute phases of recovery
2. Inter-disciplinary collaborations for helping mitigate healthcare disparities when accessing clinical services for improving rehabilitation outcomes
3. Achieve increased participation in TBI research for refined management of challenges.

JOIN THE TASK FORCE

Thank you for your interest in the ACRM BI-ISIG Culture & Diversity in TBI Task Force. We love that the ACRM attracts the most passionate interdisciplinary mix of rehabilitation pros from around the world. What an honor to collaborate with such driven individuals. We hope to meet with you at our upcoming Networking Group meeting to discuss current projects and opportunities for contribution and collaboration.

ACRM BI-ISIG Culture & Diversity in TBI Task Force

Join us to discuss the 2025 ACRM Annual Conference, Task Force updates, and new projects. We welcome your participation.

SAVE THE DATE

Date: Quarterly, Third Tuesday of the month

(January, April, July, October)

Time: 11:00 PM ET

Open Microsoft Teams or go to https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/join-a-meeting
Enter Meeting ID: 225 394 971 502
Click Join.
Enter the Passcode: k6dd7pX2
Click Join Now to enter the meeting.

We hope to see you here

CO-CHAIRS

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PAST-CHAIRS

Patricia Garcia, PsyD, HSPP

2025 GOALS

• Initiate new projects with an emphasis on inter-disciplinary collaborations
• Disseminate results of current projects/efforts (ACRM 2024, Archives)
• Recruitment of new members
• Support member-initiated projects and any necessary collaboration

2025 PROJECTS UNDERWAY

• Scoping review-cultural and linguistic adaptations of EBIs addressing neuropsychiatric sequelae in Hispanic/Spanish speaking populations recovering from a BI
• Scoping review-Inclusion of minority groups in TBI clinical trials focused on cognitive training interventions in collaboration with the Cognitive Rehabilitation Task Force
• Guide on Recruitment and retention strategies in Brain injury Research

2024 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

1. BI_ISIG Task Force funding award, “Strategies to Enhance Recruitment and Retention of Diverse Samples in TBI Rehabilitation Research”
2. ACRM symposium Kersey et al, “Advancing Equity in TBI Rehabilitation Research: A Call to Action” (Saturday; 10:30-11:30 am)

Additional relevant accomplishments from task force members:

1. Juan C. Arango-Lasprilla led an international effort in publishing several neuropsychological normative papers when working with Spanish speaking Hispanic patients recovering from BI and other neurological insults: NeuroRehabilitation – Volume 55, issue 2 – Journals – IOS Press (other contributors include Patricia Garcia, Devan Parrot, Gloria Morel)
2. Robiann Broomfield: Recipient of the 2024 BI-ISIG Scholarship Award
3. Several task force members (Kersey, Broomfield, Parrott, Morel, Evans: Productivity maintained through publications and presentations (paper, poster) at national/international conferences.

2024 GOALS

• Initiate new projects with an emphasis on inter-disciplinary collaborations
• Disseminate results of current projects/efforts (ACRM 2024 conference, Archives)
• Recruitment of new members
• Support member-initiated projects and any necessary collaboration

2024 PROJECTS UNDERWAY

• Scoping review-Inclusion of minority groups in TBI clinical trials focused on cognitive training interventions in collaboration with the Cognitive Rehabilitation Task Force
• Recruitment and retention strategies in Brain injury Research

2023 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• BI_ISIG Task Force funding award, “Strategies to Enhance Recruitment and Retention of Diverse Samples in TBI Rehabilitation Research”
• ACRM symposium, “Culturally Sensitive Strategies for Recruitment and Retention of Research Participants from Underserved Groups”

GOALS 2023

1. Initiate new projects with an emphasis on inter-disciplinary collaborations
2. Disseminate results of current projects/efforts (ACRM 2023 conference, Archives)
3. Recruitment of new members and leadership
4. Support member-initiated projects and any necessary collaboration

ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2022

1. Scoping review-Inclusion of minority groups in TBI clinical trials focused on
   cognitive training interventions in collaboration with the Cognitive Rehabilitation
   Task Force
2. Recruitment and retention strategies in Brain injury Research
3. Special issue in Frontiers of Neurology: Examining Unmet Needs in a Brain Injury
   Sample referred to Resource Facilitation: A Cross-Ethnic Comparison
4. Active group joining on monthly calls
5. Conference presentations/invited talks/symposia by members (ACRM, NASHIA, RHI Care
   Week conference)
6. Publication Brain Injury Professional- Rehabilitation Disparities: Examining Micro and
   Macro-level Barriers among Ethnic and Racial Populations Recovering from a Brain Injury

GOALS 2021-2022

1. Understand the barriers in accessing care after a traumatic brain injury across ethnic populations
2. Expand our knowledge of cultural variables such as acculturation and their role in recovery
3. Help mitigate healthcare disparities in TBI rehabilitation and research by broadening our understanding of unmet needs in ethnic groups
4. Facilitate increased participation in TBI research through a detailed analysis of recruitment and retention issues with diverse ethnic populations