CBIS Spotlight: Hilary Touchett

Hilary Touchett MSN, RN, CRRN, CBIS, Robert Wood Johnson Future of Nursing Scholar, is interested in researching the role of computer gaming in brain injury rehabilitation. Working in an inpatient rehabilitation facility housed in a large academic hospital, she found an early passion for rehabilitation and patients recovering from stroke and traumatic brain injury, as the effects of these events often have lifelong impacts on independence. Combining this with a strong interest in technology, Hilary aims to promote the integration of technology in rehabilitation as an engaging technique that promotes improved outcomes for this vulnerable population.

Currently, Hilary is working as an education resource specialist at TIRR Memorial Hermann while she is pursuing her Doctorate of Philosophy in Nursing at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston- Cizik School of Nursing. Her dissertation was funded by the TIRR Foundation Rehabilitation Innovations Grant and focuses on utilizing virtual environments to facilitate social communication and social support for survivors of traumatic brain injury (TBI) struggling with community integration. She will graduate in May 2019.

Why have you chosen a career in brain injury? What are you most passionate about in the field?

When I first became a nurse, I had a great experience working with someone who was an amputee but had recently had a stroke. My educator believed the Inpatient Rehabilitation unit was a good fit for me. Many of my most memorable experiences are of working with brain injury survivors at a large level one trauma center. I’ve always been fascinated with the resiliency of the brain to bounce back from a stroke or traumatic brain injury, and I find a lot of meaning and value in being a part of that recovery process.

Congratulations on receiving TIRR Memorial Hermann’s Innovation Award for your project, BRAVE: Bridging Recovery Allies in Virtual Environments After Traumatic Brain Injury. How has your experience in brain injury motivated you to develop this project?

The BRAVE study evaluates the acceptability and feasibility of a virtual environment support group for social communication training for adults with traumatic brain injury. Many people have trouble initiating and maintaining social relationships after TBI or stroke and there is a need for community programs that support community integration, but there are several barriers (e.g. transportation or infrequent meetings) that cause dissatisfaction with face-to-face support groups. By using an online virtual environment, I believe we can address these barriers while making it easier to connect with others.

I’ll be conducting focus groups to understand user experiences and opinions about the virtual environment and the program. I’m also looking at perceived usability and acceptability, feasibility, and then preliminary effects of the intervention by looking at the change in social communication. This study is one way we can help survivors transition back to community, connect with other survivors, while working on skills they may struggle with after their injury.

In light of these achievements, can you reflect on major changes in the field of brain injury from the perspective of a rehabilitation registered nurse and education resource specialist?

This is more of a call to action rather than reflection. From a nurse’s perspective as a clinician and educator, I believe we need more nurses to get involved in program planning and research at all levels of treatment and care. I see an opportunity for nurses to get much more involved in how we transition patients to the community. Nurses bring valuable perspectives and experiences to the table and as advocates we have an opportunity to optimize patient outcomes and experiences during recovery.

What guidance would you give to nurses or education resource specialists who are interested in becoming certified brain injury specialists?

Don’t hesitate to take the leap and become a CBIS! Becoming certified strengthens your practice and expertise and promotes you professionally. Not only will your employer want to highlight your accomplishment, but you also gain access to current research, CE opportunities, and a network of brain injury experts who work together to provide better outcomes for the brain injury community.