Looking beyond Test Results: Interprofessional Collaborative Management of Persistent Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Symptoms

Patients with cognitive concerns following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), often referred to as concussion, present with complex constellations of strengths and limitations. Increasing evidence indicates that psychosocial factors, as opposed to the injury itself, predict persistent symptoms. As an alternative to the traditional medical model, a person-centered model empowers the patient to move forward past the injury in order to optimize function and maximize quality of life. Patient-centered assessment and treatment by speech-language pathologists, neuropsychologists, and rehabilitation psychologists can engender change, reduce perceived limitations, and increase participation in meaningful activities and roles. This article outlines several collaborative, process-oriented approaches to managing cognitive concerns subsequent to mTBI. The emphasis is on maximizing patient participation to guide clinical decision making and build self-efficacy. The authors are members of the Joint Committee on Interprofessional Relations Between the American Psychological Association (APA) and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).