The impact of COVID-19 on service provision for children and young people following major traumatic injury: A longitudinal, qualitative study

The impact of COVID-19 on service provision for children and young people following major traumatic injury: A longitudinal, qualitative study

Lead researcher: Sarah Knight
Developmental Disability & Rehabilitation Research, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute

Team members: Adam Scheinberg, David Amor, Vicki Anderson, Edith Botchway, Louise Harms, David Bowen, Nick Rushworth, Dianne Lucas, Beth Costa, Bruce Bonyhady, Jessica Pellow, Kajol Aegle, Rebekka Nies, Joanne Liparota

Partner organisations: Disability Care Australia, Brain Injury Australia, Spinal Cord Injury Australia, Transport Accident Commission

COVID-19 has led to rapid changes in service provision for young people with disability. In 2019, we conducted an environmental scan of leading national and international organisations from health, education, insurance and disability sectors to understand rehabilitation models for young people with disability due to major traumatic injuries. We are now presented with a unique opportunity to build on this work to examine the organisations’ responses during the acute, adjustment and recovery stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, we aim to identify enablers, barriers, and best-practice innovative approaches to meeting the ongoing needs of young people with traumatic injuries.