Ethics Grand Rounds – How ‘expectations’ operate and shape rehabilitation experiences and adaptation after brain injury

Expectations are future-oriented beliefs about what ‘will’ and ‘should’ happen. In the context of rehabilitation, expectations relate to all aspects of the therapy process, including beliefs about what happens in therapy, the outcomes of therapy or for recovery in general, and roles and expectations of others (e.g., service providers). Misaligned expectations between individuals and the healthcare team contribute to a range of challenges, including communication breakdown, difficulty goal setting, reduced client engagement in rehabilitation, and potentially affects client, family and/or service provider wellbeing. This presentation will explore: 1) what is known about ‘expectations’ in the context of brain injury rehabilitation; 2) turning point processes evident in narratives of people with brain injury, and using case studies illustrate how changes in expectations and belief systems can arise through life experiences; and 3) strategies for discussing expectations such that conversations about therapy expectations can become more accessible.

*The program is not offered by Centre for Resilience, Learning & Growth – it is led by a community partner. However, we wanted to share information about the program as it may benefit the communities we work with.