Lay summary
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is common among people who sustain traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI) although rates vary associated with difficulties consistently identifying TBI. Co-occurring TBI has been associated with increased length and cost of tSCI rehabilitation, smaller gains from admission to discharge and added difficulties with psychosocial functioning, adjustment and return to productivity. The real impacts are difficult to quantify because TBI is not routinely screened for and is often missed. This means rates in New Zealand are unknown. Our objectives are to i) refine a TBI screening tool for research and clinical application, and ii) engage with and build relationships in proposed localities for a follow-on health delivery study.