I Have a Traumatic Brain Injury. Which Doctor Do I Need?

Many moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (“TBI”) accidents require that the patient treat with multiple doctors. There are doctors needed to diagnose the victim as soon as possible. Physicians are needed to perform the initial surgeries. Many patients require a lifetime of medical care. Most patients have a broad range of problems and need help from multiple physicians to maximize their potential for a better life.

Health care providers who treat physical injuries

When you have sustained a serious traumatic brain injury, you may need to see more than one doctor over the course of your treatment. Based on the severity of your injury, you could end up working with the following types of doctors:

• This is the physician who operates on your brain. He/she will work to minimize the damage to the brain, the nerves, and the rest of the body. He also helps to restore oxygen to the brain and to stop any bleeding. Most patients are treated by the neurosurgeon early during the care process. Many patients don’t meet with the neurosurgeon because he/she is usually called in to respond to a medical emergency.
• This doctor is typically a consultant and doesn’t perform the surgeries. He/she will typically give the patient tests such as EEGs to measure brain activity and whether the patient is having seizures or headaches. Neurologists usually make a diagnosis of the TBI patient’s condition. They can prescribe medicines.
• Plastic surgeons. Many car accident and other TBI victims develop scars and unsightly disfigurements. A plastic surgeon can help improve the patient’s appearance, so they feel better about themselves.
• Some types of therapist professionals are:
  • Occupational therapist. These health professionals normally deal with helping a patient with daily activities such as personal hygiene, getting dressed, adapting to their environment, and maximizing physical and cognitive abilities.
  • Vocational therapist. This counselor helps people get back to work and be able to perform their jobs. They help children participate in school. They can help locate jobs and school programs for their patients.
  • Recreational therapist. These counselors help TBI patients enjoy their hobbies and their social life.
  • Physical therapist. This person helps the patient walk, move their arms, lift, and generally function.
  • Speech and language pathologists. They help patients learn to talk and communicate again. They also help with memory, planning, reading, and writing.

Healthcare professionals who treat emotional injuries

These doctors and counselors include:

• This professional is a psychiatrist who has special training on how to help TBI patients. They help identify the damages to the brain, and they develop strategies to help the patient adjust to life with a TBI injury. They also counsel family members who want to help their loved ones.
• This doctor helps patients address behavioral or emotional problems. They have the authority to prescribe medications for patients who are agitated or depressed.
• A psychologist can’t prescribe medications because they are not a physician. This doctor does help TBI patients cope with the emotional difficulties caused by a traumatic brain injury.

Patients also often work with the following professionals:

• Nutritionists help patients eat a healthy diet.
• ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) doctors may be needed if the TBI that caused head damage also injured the victim’s ability to hear, smell, or speak. They also help with sinus infections.
• Ophthalmologists help if a patient’s vision worsens. Head-blows often affect vision.
• Internal medicine doctors treat kidneys, spleens, and other parts of the body that may bleed or need repair.
• Radiologists take X-Rays, CT scans, and other diagnostic tests.
• Nurses check how you’re doing, interact with the patient, and report to the doctors.

TBI patients are also treated by a physiatrist (somewhat akin to a general physician) who coordinates many of the specialty professionals so that one doctor can monitor the treatments.

At Bailey & Greer, PLLC, we understand how devastating a TBI injury can be. Many victims are never the same as before the accident. Most victims need to work extra hard just to have some sense of a normal life. Some TBI accident victims do die. To speak with a respected and experienced brain injury lawyer, please phone us today at 901-680-9777 or complete our contact form to arrange a free consultation. Our lawyers see residents of Memphis, Jackson, West Tennessee, and all neighboring locations.