Shigeru Sonoda, MD, PhD, Yasuhiko Shirayama, PhD, Sachiko Tanabe, MSW,
Kouji Shimomura, MSW, Shin Suzuki, MSW
Jpn J Compr Rehabil Sci 5: 93-96, 2014
Purpose: To validate the usefulness of a progress
notebook (p-notebook) in supporting patients with
higher cortical dysfunction by analyzing the difference
in interview time in a new hospital or facility with and
without the p-notebook. The p-notebook was created
to assist those with higher cortical dysfunction, which
is not well understood by non-experts.
Methods: Interview times with and without the
p-notebook (notebook group: n=34, non-notebook
group: n=32) were compared when patients with
higher cortical dysfunction went to a new hospital or
facility. Impressions of the families and support
coordinators of patients in the notebook group were
evaluated using visual analogue scales.
Results: The average interview time was 32.4 ± 10.7
minutes in the notebook group and 57.2 ± 28.9 minutes
in the non-notebook group, and this difference was
significant (p< 0.0001). Regarding the impressions of
family and support coordinators, the length of
explanation was shorter and understandability was
improved when using the p-notebook. These
tendencies were dominant in families compared with
support coordinators.
Conclusion: Our p-notebook is useful since it decreases
the interview time and lowers the burden of giving
explanations.
Key words: higher cortical dysfunction, traumatic brain injury, cerebrovascular disorders, compensatory methods, notebook