KEY INFORMANT INSIGHTS IN MOLDOVA'S PREVENTION AND RESPONSE SYSTEM FOR TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES

The purpose of the current study was to identify the existing practices and policies on TBI treatment and rehabilitation in the Republic of Moldova. Qualitative face-to-face interviews were conducted with health care professionals from two major emergency hospitals in Chisinau Municipality in 2018. An interview guide was modeled according to a standard operation procedure with a set of concrete questions. Participants' underlines important issues in the health care management of TBI for different medical levels: pre-hospital care ambulance system and definitive care work, acute care focused on the existing frameworks for treatment and care of TBI patients in hospitals, rehabilitation care, treatment, prevention gaps, and country-level resources. The main gaps in the prevention and treatment of traumatic injuries were identified to be related to road accidents, alcohol-related injuries, home injuries, and long arriving times of ambulance, lack of medical equipment both at pre-hospital and acute care and low salaries of medical staff. Our results suggested the need for health promotion and health education campaigns, police interventions, state support, acquiring financial support and modern equipment.