Polytrauma/Traumatic Brain Injury

This rotation primarily involves working with the Polytrauma Clinical Support Team. Polytrauma is a term used to describe patients who have suffered a TBI and have concurrent medical problems, often due to the effects of blast injuries from improvised explosive devices.  The polytrauma clinic was developed to address the high incidence of traumatic brain injuries sustained in the current conflicts, as estimates are that 20% of people who serve in either Iraq or Afghanistan will have at least one TBI exposure.  Interns will be involved in interviewing patients, conducting brief cognitive screening, providing feedback to patients and significant others, and interacting with a multidisciplinary team comprised of a physiatrist, neuropsychologist, speech pathologist, nurse case manager, primary care physician, and social worker.  Team discussions deal with developing a plan of care for each patient who is identified as having sustained a TBI with residual cognitive problems.  Patients who have sustained a brain injury with lasting effects will be followed by this clinic over time given the intensive clinical needs of this population.  In addition to TBI, intern training will include work with patients having co-morbid TBI and PTSD as well as other combat deployment-related issues.  This rotation is well-suited for those interested in neuropsychology, but this is not a requirement.