Determination of Neurologic Prognosis and Clinical Decision Making in Adult Patients With Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: A Survey of Canadian Intensivists, Neurosurgeons, and Neurologists

OBJECTIVES:Accurate prognostic information in patients with severe traumatic brain injury remains limited, but mortality following the withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies is high and variable across centers. We designed a survey to understand attitudes of physicians caring for patients with severe traumatic brain injury toward the determination of prognosis and clinical decision making on the level of care. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS:We conducted a cross-sectional study of intensivists, neurosurgeons, and neurologists that participate in the care of patients with severe traumatic brain injury at all Canadian level 1 and level 2 trauma centers. INTERVENTION:None. MEASUREMENTS:The main outcome measure was physicians’ perceptions of prognosis and recommendations on the level of care. MAIN RESULTS:Our response rate was 64% (455/712). Most respondents (65%) reported that an accurate prediction of prognosis would be most helpful during the first 7 days. Most respondents (>80%) identified bedside monitoring, clinical exam, and imaging to be useful for evaluating prognosis, whereas fewer considered electrophysiology tests (