Neuro Navigators Episode 12: Can We Awaken Potential and Rethink What’s Possible in Disorders of Consciousness?

On this episode of Neuro Navigators,⁠ Kristen Keech⁠ and⁠ Jessica Asiello⁠ join host ⁠J. J. Mowder-Tinney ⁠to tackle a vital and often misunderstood topic: disorders of consciousness (DoC). Together, we bust myths, consider ethical challenges, and offer actionable insights grounded in cutting-edge research, including recent clinical practice guidelines. How can we ensure equitable access to treatment and avoid strikingly common pitfalls like misdiagnosis or premature withdrawal of care? Tune in to explore evidence-based practices, practical strategies, and inspiring examples that challenge us to rethink what’s possible for these patients.Learning ObjectivesInterpret the evidence around rehab professionals’ role in assessment and recovery of consciousnessApply evidence-based, practical strategies to actionably address gaps in knowledge translation to ensure implementation of best practices when managing individuals with disorders of consciousnessSolve patient case scenarios involving individuals at various levels of consciousnessTimestamps(00:00:00) Welcome(00:00:50) Introduction to guests and disorders of consciousness (DoC)(00:02:20) Personal journeys and passion for DoC(00:06:05) Misconceptions and clinical questions(00:09:23) Assessment techniques and team collaboration(00:13:29) Recent research and evidence-based practice(00:23:10) Understanding disorders of consciousness(00:25:33) Multimodal approaches in rehabilitation(00:27:45) Assessment tools and techniques(00:29:13) Importance of documentation(00:31:45) Individualizing patient care(00:33:15) Engaging families in therapy(00:36:25) Overcoming barriers in treatment(00:39:58) Empowering clinicians(00:41:14) Actionable takeaways for clinicians(00:43:17) Case studies in practice(00:49:11) Final thoughts and inspirationResources Mentioned in Episode⁠Practice guideline update recommendations summary: Disorders of consciousness⁠Neuro Navigators is brought to you by Medbridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your Medbridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on Medbridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away.To hear more episodes of Neuro Navaigators, visit⁠https://www.medbridge.com/neuro-navigators⁠If you’d like to subscribe to Medbridge, visit⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/⁠