Original ArticleAn interprofessional clinical advanced fellowship in rehabilitation serving Veterans with polytrauma and brain injury

BackgroundTraumatic brain injury is a public health issue worldwide; about 1.7 million new incidents occur annually in the United States.PurposeThis paper describes an innovative advanced educational fellowship in interprofessional polytrauma/traumatic brain injury rehabilitation sponsored by VA's Office of Academic Affiliations.MethodDevelopment and implementation of the James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital' Interprofessional Polytrauma/Traumatic Brain Injury (IP/TBI) Rehabilitation Clinical Advanced Fellowship in Optometry is described.DiscussionThis unique interprofessional educational experience is designed to enhance clinical skills of optometrists caring for Veterans with TBI and other acquired neurological disorders. Assessment and rehabilitation of visual dysfunction as part of the interprofessional rehabilitation approach are discussed.ConclusionThe IP/TBI Rehabilitation Clinical Advanced Fellowship provides a unique opportunity for select optometrist fellows to develop advanced skills as essential interprofessional team members providing TBI visual rehabilitative care for our Nation's Service Members and Veterans.