Multidisciplinary research network on health and disability training on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, Ethics, and Human Rights.

This article provides a brief description of a training course in International Classification of Functioning (ICF), Disability and Health, Ethics and Human Rights done in the field of the European MURINET project. This course, in its three annual editions, was the product of a joint collaborative work among the Neurological Institute Carlo Besta, the Catholic University, and the National Council of Disability. The training program was formulated to provide knowledge and skills in the field of disability and in the use of ICF.

Family burden after severe brain injury: the Italian experience with families and volunteer associations.

Background: As part of the development of the Italian National Consensus Conference investigating the period from the hospital rehabilitation of patients with severe brain injury to their return to the community, a working group was appointed to identify the needs of brain injury patients and their families in Italy.

Methods: Two postal self-administered survey questionnaires were carried out: one targeted families of patients with severe brain injury to evaluate their objective and subjective burdens and needs; the other focused on the viewpoints of volunteer associations helping people with severe brain injury. Issues explored were quality of discharge from hospital (information received, family participation, etc.