Unmet Need in Florida with Traumatic Brain Injury Patient Population - Assignment Example

Emotional liability is the other thing noted in Floridian traumatic brain injury patients (Lovasik et. al., 2001).
Mission, vision, and values of the Traumatic Brain Injury Association of Florida Inc.
The mission of the Brain Injury Association of Florida (BIAF) is to improve the quality of life for persons suffering from brain injury through the creation of awareness, prevention, research, education, support services, and advocacy. The vision of BIAF is a healthy Floridian population free from traumatic brain injury and its debilitating effects. Transparency and accountability are the values of the association (Werner & Engelhard, 2007).

Data from historical analysis and forecasting
In 2005, 93,000 cases of traumatic brain injury were recorded in Florida. By the end of that year, it was noted that 89,000 patients of the total 93,000 cases survived the injury. In 2007, a study by the Traumatic Brain Injury Association of Florida Inc. and the Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program of Florida Department of Health showed that there were 370,000 Floridians with traumatic brain injury. According to the statistics of the time, this was an equivalence of two percent of the total Floridian population. It is forecasted that by 2015, traumatic brain injury cases in Florida will have increased by 21% to reach 435,250 people (Haddad & Arabi, 2012).

Past attempts at addressing traumatic brain injury in Florida
In the period between July 2010 and June 2011, the Brain Injury Association of Florida, Inc. launched an online caregiver needs assessment site in order to track changes in the needs of traumatic brain injury caregivers. In the same period, the association managed to set up a resource and support center that would handle telephone and internet communications about traumatic brain injury while offering follow up services. There have been initiatives such as the establishment of traumatic ‘brain injury support groups’ that address the issues of caregivers. Trauma centers have been set up and they help gather and submit records of trauma cases in the state (Lovasik et. al., 2001).

Stakeholders that should be included in the strategic planning process
The government should be a key stakeholder in a Floridian traumatic brain injury strategic planning process. The Florida Department of Health would represent the government through the Brain and Spinal Cord Program. Non-governmental organizations should be included in this process. Physicians and caregivers would be stakeholders who can provide important advice on different issues of traumatic brain injury (Werner & Engelhard, 2007).

Initial vision
An initial vision was to have reduced yearly traumatic brain injury cases by 75%. A strategic goal was to develop a broader array of funding sources from within and without Florida (Haddad & Arabi, 2012).
Broader issues
There is a need for legislative bills that will increase funding for trauma centers in Florida. Advocacy groups should launch massive campaigns aimed at soliciting funds from community members and other donors for helping traumatic brain injury patients (Lovasik et. al., 2001). Read More