System of Care after Traumatic Brain Injury - Problems in the Czech Republic: Current Dilemmas and Challanges.

Aims: To introduce the field of traumatic brain injury (TBI) focusing on the consequences that may be caused by the injury; to give comprehensive information about the organisation and characteristics of a system of care and rehabilitation, to analyse the main problems of the Czech system of care and rehabilitation as perceived by its key actors - people after brain injury and experts. Methods: Quantitative and qualitative research using structured questionnaire, methods of public policy analysis (analysis of documents, problem modelling) Results: The research indicates that due to the Czech care system, people, who have suffered brain injury, struggle with many problems related to the accessibility of individual rehabilitation modules and other social services. Areas difficult to access appear mostly in neuropsychological rehabilitation, speech therapy, special education, end especially social and vocational rehabilitation. Regarding social services, respondents stated that especially difficult to access are supported living and supported employment programmes. An important factor is also the access to the support, which enables an independent life without family support, and how this influences overall life satisfaction. More than half of respondents stated that they did not receive such forms of support..