Social Cognition in Traumatic Brain Injuries (1 CE)

This course is for: Counselors, Clinical Psychologists, and Nurses  

Course By: Joel Austin, PharmD & Kristin Ceppaluni, LMHC

Content By: Kelly, M., McDonald, S., & Frith, M. (2017). Assessment and rehabilitation of social cognition impairment after brain injury: Surveying practices of clinicians. Disorders of Social Cognition: Advances in Theory, Assessment and Treatment, 18 (1)

Course Description:  Moderate to severe brain trauma can lead to multi-focal issues caused by occurrences such as cerebral volume loss and white matter shearing. Social cognition impairments are usually resultant from damage to these essential brain regions. The ability to identify and interpret social cues, and to understand facial impressions, can be altered in anyone experiencing symptoms of traumatic brain injury (TBI). There is extensive evidence to suggest that social cognition issues can make it very difficult for the patient to reintegrate into the community. This study focused on the different ways that clinicians assess and treat patients with social cognition impairments following TBI. Clinicians completed an online survey based on four main categories of treatment. The results indicated that clinicians preferred informal assessment over standardized assessment, and that higher levels of education led to better outcomes.  

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the primary aim of the study, the methods related to social cognition impairment, and the ways in which clinicians assess and treat patients
2. Understand the four main treatment discipline categories and evaluate the categories that led to greater positive outcomes in the research tools
3. Differentiate informal assessment from standardized assessment and distinguish why the study relied on one assessment-type versus the other

Course Outline:  

• Read and understand Assessment and Rehabilitation of Social Cognition Impairment after Brain Injury: Surveying Practices of Clinicians
• Review the Course Descriptions and Learning Objectives
• Consider the factors related to social cognition impairment in TBI and related statistical results in the accompanying article
• Work through the post-test questions; keep in mind that answer selections should be derived from the respective article
• Reassess for any missed questions, returning to the referenced article to better understand the relationship between social cognition and TBI

Implicit biases incorporate an association that occurs outside of conscious awareness that may

resultantly lead to a negative patient evaluation derived from irrelevant characteristics; i.e.

gender and/or race. A systematic review of the literature was conducted. Thirty-five studies

identified the existence of implicit bias in healthcare professionals; all correlational studies

evidenced a significant positive relationship between implicit bias levels and lower quality of

care (FitzGerald & Hurst, 2017). Continued research in health care settings, combined with

greater method homogeneity, should be employed to examine the occurrence and prevalence

of implicit biases in healthcare settings as a strategic approach for mitigating related disparities

(FitzGerald & Hurst, 2017).

Approvals: