Patient-Centred Design for Engineering-Based Research on Mild and Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury

In January 2026, two online focus groups were conducted with members of the public affected by mild and moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI) – either those with a diagnosis or their family members. The focus groups explored experiences of living with TBI, particularly in-hospital monitoring and discharge processes, as well as prognosis trajectories. The aim of the focus groups was to help shape research priorities by identifying the most difficult aspects of acute and ongoing TBI diagnosis and gathering views on potential engineering interventions or monitoring improvements. The focus groups identified five research themes to consider during all stages of research design and development, which are presented and discussed in the report. The five themes identified were: •Information and communication gaps in healthcare •Inadequate recognition and assessment of brain injuries •Transition support from hospital to home •Information needs across the injury timeline •Patient and family perceptions around prognosis and outcome prediction