Jennie Ponsford, AO, BA (Hons), MA (Clin Neuropsych), PhD, MAPsS, is a Professor of Neuropsychology and Director of Clinical Programs in the School of Psychological Sciences at Monash University and Director of the Monash-Epworth  Rehabilitation Research Centre at Epworth Healthcare in Melbourne. Over 42 years she has engaged in clinical work and research with individuals with mild, moderate and severe traumatic brain injury, investigating outcomes and the efficacy of rehabilitative interventions,  and publishing 2 books and over 430 journal articles and book chapters. She is Past-President of the INS, IASTBI and ASSBI. In 2013 she was awarded the Robert L. Moody prize for Distinguished Initiatives in Brain Injury and Rehabilitation, in 2015 the INS Paul Satz Career Mentoring Award and in 2017 was made Officer of the Order of Australia for her distinguished contributions to neuropsychology and seminal advances in diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of patients with traumatic brain injury.

Improving outcome after traumatic brain injury with evidence-based rehabilitation

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) presents unique challenges, occurring frequently in young people who are still establishing their independence and relationships and completing educational or vocational training, and who may have pre-existing social or psychiatric problems.  Outcome studies show good physical recovery for many, but persisting difficulties with complex community-based activities, employment, study and personal and social relationships. Underpinning these difficulties are impairments of memory, attention, executive functions and behavioural control, with fatigue, sleep disturbance, anxiety and depression also associated with poor participation.  In order to improve outcomes it is essential to develop evidence-based methods of addressing these problems, whilst also focusing on individually meaningful goals. Intervention studies addressing these core problems will be discussed.