Breinstraat, platform for young people with TBI
Young people with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) face many challenges in their daily lives. Contact with other young people with TBI appears to have a positive influence on coping with all these challenges.
Centre of Expertise Health Innovation
On the Breinstraat digital platform the young people meet each other, exchange experiences and ask questions. The Rehabilitation and Technology research group studies how the platform can be improved and expanded.
In addition to the practical challenges that a young person with TBI faces, they also often encounter social and emotional challenges. Despite the good intentions of parents, friends and healthcare professionals, young people with TBI find the most understanding and recognition in each other. To meet each other, a digital platform such as Breinstraat suits the current generation of young people with TBI well. They manage the platform themselves and with the help of professionals where necessary.
Development of Breinstraat
As experience experts, young people with TBI are closely involved in the development of Breinstraat. Researchers from the research group facilitate focus groups in which the young people contribute ideas and evaluate the platform. Among other things, they measure user satisfaction. Parents, care providers, education professionals, ambulatory support workers, and patient organizations also provide input. An informational section has been set up on the platform specifically for them.
Within a secured section, young people can access a chat environment, a forum—an aid for achieving personal goals, with or without coaching—and a personal profile. Short videos are also available that answer frequently asked questions.
The Energy Monitor
An important need identified by the target group was a digital agenda that supports better energy management. This requires complex technical development, which is why the project team sought collaboration with the developers of the agenda app Structured. An initial design from the project team was further developed in the style of this widely used app and is monitored and evaluated by both the Breinstraat and Structured teams. Through multiple iterations, usability and user-friendliness are continuously improved.
Target Group
The primary target group of the project consists of young people with TBI. In addition, the target group includes parents and caregivers, siblings of young people with TBI, and professionals who treat or support young people with TBI.
Duration
The project runs until the end of 2027.
Collaboration
Breinstraat was developed in collaboration with the organizations Basalt, Heliomare, and Breinsupport. The Energy Monitor was developed together with the developers of Structured. The Brain Foundation (Hersenstichting) is a co-funder of the project.
More Information
The project has its own website and is also mentioned on the websites of Basalt and Structured.
Contact
- Bram Reurings - Researcher ([email protected])
- Jorit Meesters - Professor Rehabilitation and Technology ([email protected])